BASF celebrates capacity increase for sodium methylate in South America with customer event

• Production capacity increase to 90kt per year implemented in the second quarter 2024
• Customer event celebrates long-standing relationships and collaboration

São Paulo, Brazil, July 3, 2024 – BASF’s Monomers division announced a production capacity increase for sodium methylate at its latest customer event in Guaratinguetá, São Paulo on July 3. In the second quarter, the company increased the nameplate capacity of its sodium methylate plant in Guaratinguetá, Brazil to 90,000 metric tons per year.

During the event, BASF shared with customers local initiatives from its Guaratinguetá production site, as well as its perspective for the sodium methylate production. In his keynote speech, Monomers President Dr. Ramkumar Dhruva underlined the strategic value of the expansion: “This capacity increase is another step of our business expansion for sodium methylate in the South American region and underlines our commitment to our customers and the South American biodiesel market. Together with our long-term partners, we will continue our way to create sustainable value for the region.”  

“I am very happy to celebrate this important expansion together with our customers and I am looking forward to continuing to develop innovative solutions for the region together”, said Alejandro Ludovico Bossio Grassi, Director, BASF Monomers division South America. “With sustainability in the minds of more and more organizations within South America, we see the market for biodiesel quickly expanding. We want to help our customers to grow their business while lowering their environmental impact. With this expansion, we ensure the continuous supply of sodium methylate.”

During the customer event participants had the opportunity to tour the site and learn about the Guaratinguetá Chemical Complex, which opened in 1959. Besides the sodium methylate plant, the site is home for 12 other production plants, ranging over more than 1,500 solutions and products, such as crop protection, raw materials for adhesives, resins, paints, detergents, cosmetics, solutions for the automotive market, among others.

Brazil is one of the world leaders in the use and production of biofuels, like biodiesel. Its development has been leveraged by the established legislations to mix a percentage of biodiesel with petroleum diesel, not only promoting productivity and more sustainability in heavy duty transport but also helping different regions to create more economic opportunities for local citizens and companies.

Sodium methylate is an efficient and reliable catalyst that provides a more sustainable solution for the production and use of biodiesel, meeting the requirements of engine manufacturers for high-quality fuels and lower emissions. Sodium methylate supports higher yields and low preparation cost for biodiesel.

About BASF

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Around 112,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio comprises six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €68.9 billion in 2023. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the United States. Further information at www.basf.com.

About BASF’s Monomers division

The Monomers division supplies a broad portfolio of large- volume monomers, basic polymers and inorganic chemicals. Major products include MDI (methylene diphenyl diisocyanate), TDI (toluene diisocyanate), propylene oxide, caprolactam, adipic acid, hexamethylenediamine, ammonia, polyamide 6 and 6.6, nitric acid, sulfur and chlorine products, inorganic salts, urea, glues and impregnating resins. The products are used in a broad spectrum of industries, such as the automotive, furniture, construction, woodworking, food, feed, solar, packaging and textile industries. Further information at www.chemicals.basf.com/global/en/Monomers.html

P-24-237