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BASF to expand PVP capacity across global sites

27 Jan '15

2 min read

BASF plans to invest up to €56 million in the expansion of its Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) value chain over the next four years.

By revamping existing plants in Germany and USA and introducing the PVP technology at its Chinese site, BASF will increase its global PVP production capacity by up to 6,000 metric tons.

BASF is the inventor and one of the market leaders for PVP, a polymer, which is used in the personal and home care sector, mainly due to its binding properties.

The polymer PVP can be used in a broad range of applications due to its varied features as it is water soluble, but can also absorb large quantities of water.

It is non-irritant to the skin and does not pose a health hazard and it is temperature-resistant, pH-stable, non-ionic and colourless.

BASF PVP, Luvitec plays an essential role in the production of membranes for micro and ultra-filtration, which are employed for dialysis and water filtration and it can also be utilised for special adhesives.

75 years ago, a chemist, Walter Reppe, working in a BASF laboratory in Ludwigshafen invented and patented the PVP production process.

The precursor of PVP, N-vinylpyrrolidone (NVP), has been produced in Ludwigshafen since 1939 and at BASF’s Geismar site since 1992.

“Our global production network and technology leadership enable us to obtain the highest levels of supply reliability and quality for our customers,” said Michael Heinz, member of the BoD at BASF. (AR)

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India