BASF completes capability upgrades for Superabsorbent Polymers in North America

• $19.2 million investment into BASF’s North American SAP facility leads to improved efficiencies, debottlenecking, and expanded capacity
• BASF’s SAP plant in Freeport, Texas prepared to support growth in North American hygiene market and meet developing market trends

FREEPORT, TX, October 10, 2024 – BASF’s Petrochemicals division has completed its upgrades for Superabsorbent Polymers (SAP) after a $19.2 million investment into its Freeport, Texas site. The project, which began in 2023, involved the installation of new equipment to increase production rates and the optimization of existing processes at the SAP plant in Freeport. It also improved rail logistics capabilities allowing for a reduction in truck traffic, resulting in a lower carbon footprint associated with customer deliveries.

“These production process enhancements will help improve the polymer swelling speed and overall absorbency properties of our SAPs, allowing our customers to provide thinner and more dependable diapers and other hygiene products to consumers,” said Momin Birjis, BASF SAP Production Manager at the Freeport site. “Our team is really excited about the upgrades.”

The combination of the new equipment and upgraded processes has led to an improved capability to make higher performing SAPs while simultaneously realizing up to 20% higher throughput and further improving overall expected asset reliability.

“This investment showcases BASF’s long-term commitment to the North American hygiene market and to maintaining our position as the leading reliable source for SAP in the region,” said Shawn Wick, BASF Business Director SAP North America.

For more information about Superabsorbent Polymers at BASF, visit www.hygiene.basf.com.  

About BASF's Petrochemicals division

The Petrochemicals division is the starting point for BASF's petrochemical-based value chains around the world. We operate a highly competitive asset base with the best technologies and focus on safety and operational excellence. With six Verbund units and several major production sites, we are close to our customers and present in the world's largest chemical markets. The division supplies high-quality chemical products to the company's various value chains and to a wide range of customer industries, contributing to BASF's organic volume growth. Our portfolio includes cracker products, industrial gases, acrylics, superabsorbent polymers, styrenic foams, alkylene oxides, glycols, alcohols, solvents, and plasticizers. More information is available online at http://petrochemicals.basf.com

About BASF

BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has approximately 16,000 employees in North America and had sales of $20.5 billion in 2023. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, visit www.basf.com/us.

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.