Lemfoerde, Germany -- BASF Polyurethanes GmbH in Lemfoerde is to build a new production complex for thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) -- and says this is the" biggest single investment at the site to date," running into tens of millions of euros.
"This project will sustainably strengthen our position as market leader in the speciality plastic TPU and underlines the great importance and future direction of the Lemförde site," explained the two managing directors Dr Uwe Hartwig and Dr René Lochtman, during groundbreaking for the project.
The five buildings will cover a total of over 4500 sq.m and reach 20 m in height. Alongside a production hall fitted with state-of-the-art technology will be storage areas, tanks and an office block.
BASF's TPUs sell globally under the Elastollan brand.
In the medium term about 20 jobs will be created for the extra production. BASF expects the new complex to be complete, and to start production, by the end of 2014.
Hartwig, who is also senior vice president BASF Polyurethanes Europe, commented: "This investment is part of a global BASF growth strategy and will contribute towards the further expansion of our leading market position. This way we are creating an ideal basis for the success of our customers in the growing market of thermoplastic polyurethane applications."
The complex follows other expansions at the BASF site, including construction of a pilot plant building with a test plant to develop novel rigid polyurethane foam applications.
Earlier in the year the perimeter fence was moved to enlarge the site from eleven to about 25 hectares.
TPUs are one of BASF's most versatile materials with extremely high potential for innovation, the company says.
They offer exceptional combinations of properties from elasticity to resistance, and excellent physical properties, which BASF says qualify Elastollan for exacting applications in almost every industry from automotive to sports and leisure, as well as mechanical engineering, in foils and films, cable sheathing, shoes, furniture and instrument panels.
PIC: Uwe Hartwig -- new TPU capacity to extend BASF's leading position
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