BASF completes its capacity expansion for key specialty amines in the Americas

BASF has completed its capacity expansion for key specialty amines manufactured at its Geismar, Louisiana site. As a result, BASF will be able to produce more of its key polyetheramines and amine catalysts marketed under the Baxxodur® and LupragenTM brands, said the company.

“This project represents our commitment to growth in the Americas market,” said Kevin Anderson, Vice President, Business Management Amines, Acetylenics and Carbonyl Derivatives, Chemical Intermediates, North America for BASF. “Our Geismar site was the ideal location for this expansion thanks to its existing infrastructure and skilled workforce.”

BASF’s Baxxodur portfolio is utilized by customers as highly efficient curing agents and chain extenders in epoxy and polyurea applications for the wind, electrical, composites, adhesives and flooring industries. The usage of Baxxodur products allows customers to achieve a wide range of benefits in their formulation, including improved curing time, hardness, flexibility, peel strength and chemical and temperature resistance.

BASF’s Lupragen products are highly efficient amine catalysts for Polyurethanes (PU). Those catalysts are typically tertiary amines, which are required to facilitate the reaction of the main components – isocyanate and polyol. Depending on the choice of catalyst, the polyurethane forming process can be controlled to enhance the gelling or blowing reaction. BASF’s Lupragen portfolio includes several low-VOC catalysts which offer support to address the increasing target of sustainable emission reductions.

With about 300 different amines, BASF has one of the world’s most diverse portfolio of chemical intermediates. Along with alkyl-, alkanol- and alkoxyalkylamines, BASF offers heterocyclic and aromatic as well as specialty amines. The versatile products are utilized mainly to manufacture process chemicals, pharmaceuticals and crop protection products, as well as cosmetic products and detergents. They also are used to produce coatings, special plastics, composites and special fibers.

We remind, BASF launches the new readily biodegradable, anti-redeposition polymer BVERDE GP 790 L. BVERDE® GP 790 L is the latest addition to BASF’s comprehensive portfolio of ingredients for laundry detergent applications. This new, readily biodegradable*, anti-redeposition polymer is designed to meet customers’ growing need for products with greater emphasis on sustainability without compromising on performance.

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Venezuela's state-run Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A. will supply fuel to Curacao's refinery to settle debts left by the oil company after ceasing operations at the Caribbean island's facility in 2019, said Hydrocarbonprocessing.

Following the expiration of a contract that had allowed PDVSA for years to operate the 335,000-barrel-per-day refinery and neighboring oil facilities, millions of dollars in debts were identified in Curacao and Bonaire, where the company had managed the BOPEC oil terminal.

The refinery's owner, state company Refineria di Korsou's (RdK), sold remaining crude stocks to cover part of the overdue debts and pending salaries. But another portion of the debt had remained unpaid.

The governments of Curacao and the Netherlands, which oversees the island's foreign policy, for years have been in talks with Venezuela seeking payment. The temporary lifting of U.S. sanctions on Venezuela in October provided an opportunity for a settlement, after RdK in 2020 resorted to a New York court to enforce a $51 million payment from debt accumulated until that moment.

More recently, RdK also has tried to be part of a group of creditors seeking to participate in a U.S. court-organized auction of shares in one of Citgo Petroleum's parent companies, owned by Venezuela, which will see its first bidding round in January.

The settlement agreement could allow the resumption of relations between Venezuela, Curacao and Bonaire so PDVSA can resume operations to store oil and fuel at the Bullenbaai terminal in Curacao and at Bonaire's BOPEC terminal, as well as processing Venezuelan crude at Curacao's refinery, the Curacao Chronicle newspaper reported.

PDVSA did not immediately respond to a request for comment. RdK could not be reached for comment.

Curacao's refinery has remained idled since 2018. Several negotiations with firms in recent years have failed to secure a new operator.

We remind, Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA and joint venture partner Repsol on Monday signed an agreement amending the original terms of a project in the country, aiming to revive its crude and gas output. The agreement for production joint venture Petroquiriquire, which includes the fields Quiriquire, Mene Grande and Barua-Motatan, was signed in Caracas by Venezuela's oil minister Pedro Tellechea and executives from Repsol.

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North American chemical rail traffic rose for a sixth consecutive week, with railcar loadings for the week ended 16 December rising 8.8% year on year to 48,215, according to the latest freight rail data on Wednesday.

Increases in the US and Canada more than offset a decline in Mexico. For the first 50 weeks of 2023 ended 16 December, total North American chemical rail traffic rose 0.4% year on year to 2,273,390. US loadings, however, were down 1.0% to 1,556,438.

In the US, chemical railcar loadings represent about 20% of chemical transportation by tonnage, with trucks, barges and pipelines carrying the rest. In Canada, chemical producers rely on rail to ship more than 70% of their products, with some exclusively using rail.

We remind, North American chemical rail traffic rose for a fifth consecutive week, with railcar loadings for the week ended 9 December rising 9.3% year on year to 45,470. Increases in the US and Canada more than offset a decline in Mexico.

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Brenntag, the global market leader in chemicals and ingredients distribution, today announced the agreement to acquire Solventis Group, a glycols and solvents distribution company operating from Antwerp, Belgium, and from the UK, said the company.

Ewout van Jarwaarde, Chief Executive Officer Brenntag Essentials, commented: “Brenntag Essentials combines a cost-efficient network of last mile service operations with regional sourcing and supply chain services, and global sourcing. Solventis Group is a highly compatible fit to our strategy, adding tollgate capabilities and volume optionality via their Antwerp state-of-the-art site to our regional capacities, while opening interregional optimization potential. The acquisition will support our integration with increasingly global supply markets while strengthening our regional market position and customer proximity in EMEA.”

Established in 2002 and based in the United Kingdom, the family-owned company encompasses multiple entities, including Solventis, Kilfrost Europe, Antwerp Distillation Company, Solventis Solutions, and Solvenox. In 2022, the group reported annual sales of over 300 million EUR. Specialising in the distribution of glycols and solvents, Solventis Group provides tailored solutions to a diverse global customer base. Alongside a site in Scunthorpe, UK, the company operates a purpose-built facility in the port of Antwerp, Belgium, a major European chemicals hub, engaging in advanced blending, storage, packing, distribution, and chemical recycling.

The acquisition, especially with its strategically positioned Antwerp site, also improves Brenntag Essentials’ sustainability profile with increased sourcing via ships and barges, as well as expanded supply and delivery options through rail transport. In addition, Solventis’ proficiency in glycol recovery and recycling further enhances Brenntag’s sustainability profile.

David Lubbock, Owner and Chief Executive Officer of the Solventis Group, states: “Our global network of suppliers and customers stands to gain significant advantages from Brenntag’s extensive global reach and diverse product and service portfolio. We eagerly look forward to becoming part of the expanding Brenntag Essentials platform, offering our extensive product range encompassing glycols, solvents, and automotive products, including coolants, antifreeze, brake fluids and de-icing fluids, to a broader customer base worldwide.”

Financial details of the deal are not being disclosed. Closing of the transaction is subject to customary conditions including regulatory approvals and is expected in Q2 of 2024.

We remind, Brenntag, the global market leader in chemicals and ingredients distribution, announced the acquisition of OWI Chlor Alkali (Old World Specialty Chemicals, LLC, and Old World Logistics, LLC) from Old World Industries, LLC in Northbrook, Illinois. The business units will be integrated into Brenntag Essentials’ existing network in North America, significantly expanding Brenntag Essentials’ local and regional footprint.

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Britain's Harbour Energy on Thursday agreed to acquire Wintershall Dea's non-Russian oil and gas assets in a $11.2 billion share and cash deal with co-owners BASF and LetterOne that creates one of the world's biggest independent producers, said Reuters.

London-listed Harbour, the largest British North Sea oil and gas producer, has sought to expand beyond the United Kingdom after the government imposed a windfall tax on the sector following the spike in energy prices in 2022, pushing Harbour into a loss in the first half of this year.

Harbour shares closed 21% higher, while BASF's stock ended the day flat. The deal, expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2024, is the latest in a number of large oil and gas acquisitions in recent months including Exxon Mobil's $60 billion deal for Pioneer Natural Resources and Chevron's $53 billion deal for Hess Corp in October.

It is the fourth major acquisition Harbour, and its predecessor Chrysaor, has done since 2017.

We remind, Samyang Corporation, a chemical/food business subsidiary of Samyang Group (CEO Ho-sung Kang), recently announced that nine types of their recycled fishing net plastic (nylon) material, "TRIECO 4D," have acquired global certification for ocean plastic recycling, "ECV Ocean Plastic (2809-3)," from the international testing and certification agency, UL Solutions.

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