BASF’s McIntosh site receives Environmental Stewardship Award

MCINTOSH, AL, October 31, 2024 – Partners for Environmental Progress (PEP) has awarded the BASF facility in McIntosh, Alabama a 2024 Environmental Stewardship Award for the site’s improved use of hydrochloric acid (HCl), a byproduct of its antioxidant process. The new approach is on track to reduce the site’s CO₂ emissions by 3,600mt in 2024.

“We are honored to receive a PEP Environmental Stewardship Award,” said Marcus Pezent, Site Director for BASF in McIntosh. “BASF’s McIntosh site is committed to ensuring environmental safety for our organization, employees, and the community.”

BASF’s antioxidant unit creates additives used in the production of plastics and lubricants. A byproduct of this process is HCl, which historically had three outlets: utilize a portion in water treatment, use as a raw material in another onsite process, or neutralize with caustic and send to a treatment plant.

In 2022, roughly 45 percent of the HCl byproduct was neutralized, prompting BASF to find a solution that would improve quality and reduce the amount of off-spec hydrochloric acid. To improve quality, BASF upgraded its automation controls, added an analyzer to allow for real-time adjustments, and adjusted its onsite processes to create a higher quality product. In addition, BASF’s team in McIntosh now works with a vendor who can dispose of any HCl that is unusable.

“By collaboratively working towards enhancing HCl quality and exploring alternative outlets, BASF’s McIntosh site has experienced a significant positive impact, resulting in a consistent supply of HCl to downstream users and preventing waste,” said Conner Denton, Asset Management Engineer at BASF’s McIntosh site. “These efforts showcase BASF’s entrepreneurial spirit and maximize the utilization of critical resources. This accomplishment exemplifies the power of teamwork and collaboration in achieving our goals.”

Climate protection is a key pillar of BASF’s sustainability efforts: the company aims to achieve net zero CO₂ emissions by 2050 with an interim 2030 goal of reducing emissions by 25 percent from a 2018 baseline. To support these goals, the BASF team is continuously identifying projects to improve processes and minimize waste.

PEP presented the award to BASF during its annual meeting, highlighting BASF’s significant environmental contribution through economic growth, environmental, health and social responsibility. PEP is a coalition of business and education leaders who share the vision of applying science-based environmental best practices to business and community issues. Founded in 2000, the organization promotes business growth while preserving and enhancing the environment and quality of life along the Gulf Coast.

For more information about BASF’s PEP Award, visit pepmobile.org.

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.

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.