BASF brings additional compounding capacity for engineering plastics on stream in Mexico

• Capacity in Altamira, Mexico increased by 15,000 tons per year
• Further expansion of BASF’s flexible global production network

WYANDOTTE, MI, MAY 17, 2019 – BASF began operations at its expanded compounding plant in Altamira, Mexico. With increased capacity up to 15,000 tons per year, the company is providing local production of its Ultradur^® (PBT: polybutylene terephthalate) and Ultramid^® (PA: polyamide) product lines. This expansion addresses the increasing global demand for engineering plastics and supports the growing market in Mexico. BASF’s worldwide compounding capacity for PA and PBT will reach more than 750,000 tons per year.

“This new capacity increases the flexibility in our global production network and allows us to meet the requirements of our global customers who have a local footprint in Mexico,” said Gulay Serhatkulu, Head of BASF Performance Materials in North America.  

The engineering plastics Ultramid and Ultradur are used to make high-performance components for the automotive, electrical and electronics industries, as well as for the construction, appliance and furniture sectors. The components include air intake manifolds, engine mounts, headlamp housings, sensors and connectors, chairs and fastening elements.

About BASF’s Performance Materials division

BASF’s Performance Materials division encompasses the entire materials know-how of BASF regarding innovative, customized plastics under one roof. Globally active in four major industry sectors – transportation, construction, industrial applications and consumer goods – the division has a strong portfolio of products and services combined with a deep understanding of application-oriented system solutions. Key drivers of profitability and growth are our close collaboration with customers and a clear focus on solutions. Strong capabilities in R&D provide the basis to develop innovative products and applications. In 2018, the Performance Materials division achieved global sales of €7.65 bn. More information online: www.plastics.basf.com.

About BASF

BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has more than 20,000 employees in North America and had sales of $19.7 billion in 2018. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, visit www.basf.com.  

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. The approximately 122,000 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 six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of around €63 billion in 2018. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the U.S. Further information at www.basf.com.