BASF invests r $ 1.2 billion in complex acrylic

Basf has invested 500 million euros ($ 1.2 billion) in its new plant in Camaçari, Bahia, to take on the national market of acrylics, dominated by imports. This was the greatest contribution of the group in South America since coming to the region, for 100 years.
The company says to expect the investment will bring a positive impact to the country's trade balance of about $ 300 million a year, $ 200 million by reducing imports and $ 100 million on the basis of the creation of exports. "This complex will ensure national and regional supply of products that currently are imported," said Ralph Schweens, President of the company in South America. "Besides, it will positively impact the local economy by encouraging investment and innovation in the region and attract new companies to the pole of Camaçari."
The complex, opened last Friday, will be able to produce acrylic acid, butyl acrylate and superabsorbent polymers (SAP) on a world scale, says the company. SAPs are important products in the value chain of acrylic acid and are used in the production of baby diapers and other hygiene products. The butyl acrylate, a derivative of acrylic acid, is used to produce adhesives, chemical products for construction and decorative paints.
According to the Forship, which provided support services to the management of the commissioning and execution of loop test of the investment of the German group, the unit would be able to provide the whole Brazilian Basf unit demand for these items, which are currently imported from other countries. The complex will have production of about 160 thousand tons per year.
Work on the new complex started in March 2012. For operation, the three production units have created direct and indirect 600 230 jobs in the region.
"Basf is a global leader in acrylic acid. This investment will strengthen our position in the growing South American market ", Michael Heinz, Member of the Board of Directors of Basf SE.
President Dilma Rousseff also participated in the inauguration on Friday and celebrated the investment. "It's an industry which incorporates this region of the world and the first in the hemisphere, unprecedented in Latin America as a whole", said the President. "And, now, present in Brazil. Giving consistency to the oil, petrochemical chain, the chain of polymers in the country. This will also allow us to have an advantage in relation to questions concerning the balance of trade. "
With the new unit, Basf will convert its factory of butyl acrylate, located in its complex of Guaratinguetá (São Paulo), in a production unit of 2-ethyl acrylate-hexila, a raw material for adhesives and coatings industries. This will be the first plant of this kind in South America. Production is expected to begin in 2016, based on acrylic acid produced in Bahia.