BASF PETRONAS Chemicals starts up new plant to produce highly reactive polyisobutene (HR-PIB) in Kuantan, Malaysia
Kuantan, Malaysia – January 12, 2018 - BASF PETRONAS Chemicals has successfully concluded the start-up of a new plant for the production of highly reactive polyisobutene (HR-PIB) with a total annual capacity of 50,000 metric tons, at its integrated site in Gebeng, Kuantan, Malaysia.
“We are happy that the first on-spec product has been successfully manufactured and dispatched to our customers. Our plant is the first of its kind in South East Asia and meets local market needs, supported by strong raw material backward integration,” said Dr Sven Crone, Managing Director of BASF PETRONAS Chemicals.
HR-PIB is an important intermediate product for the manufacturing of high performance fuel and lubricant additives, including additives for sludge prevention. It is also used in other industrial applications.
Photo caption: Great teamwork and commitment from the team ensure the successful start-up of the HR-PIB Plant.
About BASF PETRONAS Chemicals Sdn Bhd
BASF PETRONAS Chemicals is a Malaysia-based joint venture between BASF and Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS), Malaysia’s fully integrated oil and gas multinational, under its subsidiary PETRONAS Chemicals Group Berhad (PCG). Incorporated in 1997, the company operates an integrated complex situated at the Gebeng Industrial Zone, Pahang. The company’s share capital is 60% held by BASF and 40% by PCG with a total initial investment of about MYR3.4 billion (US$900 million) in production facilities for acrylic monomers, oxo products and butanediol. Chemicals produced by BASF PETRONAS Chemicals meet growing demand in various industries including plastics, adhesives, lacquers, dyestuff, automobile and industrial coatings, paper, diapers, water treatment, textile and leather. The second wave of investments includes the MYR1.5 billion (approx. US$500 million) Integrated Aroma Ingredients Complex, the new production plant for 2-Ethylhexanoic Acid, and the plant for highly reactive polyisobutene (HR-PIB).
About BASF
At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. The approximately 114,000 employees in the BASF Group work on contributing to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio is organized into five segments: Chemicals, Performance Products, Functional Materials & Solutions, Agricultural Solutions and Oil & Gas. BASF generated sales of about €58 billion in 2016. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (BAS). Further information at www.basf.com.
About PETRONAS Chemicals Group Berhad
PETRONAS Chemicals Group Berhad (PCG) is the leading integrated chemicals producer in Malaysia and one of the largest in South East Asia. It operates a number of world class production sites, which are fully vertically integrated from feedstock to downstream end-products. With a total combined production capacity of over 12 million MT per annum, it is involved primarily in manufacturing, marketing and selling a diversified range of chemical products, including olefins, polymers, fertilizers, methanol and other basic chemicals and derivative products. Listed on Bursa Malaysia and with three decades of experience in the chemicals industry, PCG is established as part of the PETRONAS Group to maximize value from Malaysia’s natural gas resources.
PCG is one of the top 10 companies in the FTSE4Good Bursa Malaysia (F4GBM) Index, out of 200 largest companies ranked by market capitalization. It is committed to ensuring that its business practices are in line with globally recognised standards for Environment, Social & Governance (ESG) practices. Further details on PCG can be found at www.petronaschemicals.com.my.
