BASF Petronas Chemicals Increases Isooctanoic Acid Capacity in Kuantan, Malaysia

October 13, 2021 – BASF Petrochemicals Malaysia (BPC), a joint venture between BASF and Petronas Petrochemical Group (PCG), a subsidiary of Petronas, plans to convert isooctanoic acid (2-EHA) into The annual production capacity has been expanded from 30,000 tons to 60,000 tons
.

Vasilios Galanos, global senior vice president of BASF's Asia Pacific Intermediates business unit, said: "We are committed to meeting the rapidly growing needs of our customers as the downstream applications of isooctanoic acid continue to expand, such as synthetic lubricants for the white goods industry.
, PVB plasticizers used in the production of safety glass required in the construction and automotive sectors, etc.

With the increase in production capacity, we will continue to ensure a stable supply capacity in the Asia-Pacific region, while strictly adhering to the highest standards of product quality
.
”

Datuk Sazali Hamzah, Managing Director and CEO of PCG, said: "Isooctanoic acid has always been an integral part of the growth of the BPC business, and this expansion of capacity comes at the right time, not only to capture the benefits of a growing market Opportunities, but also in line with PCG's sustainable development strategy, which is to expand the existing product portfolio with higher value products
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Maximize value by organically integrating BPC and PCG's other production units in the integrated Kuantan site chain, improve product quality, enhance cost competitiveness, and continue to provide customers with innovative solutions
.
"

Marko Murtonen, Managing Director of BPC, added: "This expansion marks another milestone in the friendly partnership between BASF and Petronas, which further strengthens both parties' commitment to expanding local production by enhancing Its own competitiveness can better meet the growing customer demand
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In addition, this expansion also complies with the market trend of embracing high-quality products and efficient production, and is highly consistent with the sustainable development goals set by the parent companies of both parties
.
”

Isooctanoic acid is a chemical intermediate used as a compound in the production of synthetic lubricants and petroleum additives
.
It is also used in functional liquids such as automotive coolants, metal salts in paint driers, plasticizers, stabilizers, catalysts and other applications in various industries
.
In addition to its production site in Kuantan, Malaysia, BASF produces isooctanoic acid at its integrated production site in Ludwigshafen, Germany
.