BASF has announced that it will increase its annual global capacity for manufacturing the chemical intermediate, 6-hexanediol (HDO) by more than 20% to more than 50,000t/yr by 2014. For this purpose, the company will further optimise its production processes, carry out various infrastructure projects and enhance its logistical processes. BASF will invest more than €30M. Through these measures BASF will strengthen its position as the globally leading HDO supplier. BASF operates HDO production facilities at its Verbund sites in Freeport, Texas, USA and Ludwigshafen, Germany.
HDO is used to manufacture industrial coatings including lower volatile organic compound (VOC) formulations, polyurethanes, adhesives and cosmetics. It also serves as a reactive thinner in the formulation of epoxy systems.
