$19.2 million investment leads to improved efficiencies, debottlenecking and expanded capacity
2024-10-15 13:20:42
On October 10, BASF announced that it had completed the upgrade of its super absorbent polymer (SAP) in Freeport, Texas, USA, with an investment of US$19.2 million.
The project, which was launched in 2023, involves installing new equipment to increase productivity and optimize existing processes at the Freeport SAP plant.
The combination of new equipment and upgraded processes not only increased production speed by 20%, but also significantly improved the performance of SAP polymers, especially its swelling rate and overall absorption performance, which means that thinner and more reliable diapers and other personal hygiene products can be produced in the future.
The high-end demand for SAP
Super absorbent polymer (SAP) is a key ingredient in hygiene products such as baby diapers, adult incontinence products, and feminine hygiene products, which ensures that urine is safely locked in and keeps skin and clothes dry and clean.
From the perspective of the global market, the top ten SAP production companies in the world in 2023 will account for 85.7% of the total production capacity, including Nippon Catalyst, BASF, Evonik, Sumitomo Seika, Sanyo, LG Chem, Yixing Dansen and other companies.
It is worth mentioning that Evonik sold its SAP business to ICIG (International Chemical Investment Group) in March this year; in the same month, Sanyo Chemical decided to withdraw from the SAP business, and in May Jiangtian Chemical decided to purchase 100% of the equity of its subsidiary Sandaya. (Related reading: Official announcement! The domestic SAP leader will change hands! But the final throne belongs to Wanhua Chemical)
From the perspective of domestic production capacity, my country's current production capacity exceeds 1.5 million tons/year, including Sandaya (230,000 tons/year), Satellite Chemical (150,000 tons/year), Banglida Technology (140,000 tons/year), Shandong Noer Biological (100,000 tons/year), Wanhua Chemical (60,000 tons/year), Shanghai Huayi (200,000 tons/year), Guangxi Huayi (100,000 tons/year) and other production companies.
However, the SAP production facilities of most domestic private enterprises are relatively small, and there is still a certain gap in technology compared with foreign-funded enterprises. In addition, domestic low-end production capacity is in excess and occupies a dominant position. Except for leading enterprises such as Satellite Petrochemical and Wanhua Chemical, which have mid-to-high-end production capacity, most other enterprises have serious product homogeneity and poor bargaining power in the industry.
Therefore, domestic SAP used in sanitary products mainly relies on imports and foreign-funded enterprises, and high-end products are in short supply.
BASF SAP business
Due to the high-end market demand, BASF actively innovates SAP products, and its main products include HySorb® and SAVIVA®.
HySorb® has an appropriate balance of main properties, which can effectively absorb, disperse and retain urine even under pressure, helping to reduce the risk of leakage. In addition, its innovative formula can delay the formation of ammonia urine odor for up to 9 hours, providing incontinence patients with a new level of confidence and comfort.
SAVIVA® is a super absorbent material developed based on BASF's pioneering droplet polymerization technology. It has excellent absorption properties, extremely high leakage resistance, long-term dryness and low rewetting. Its unique rounded appearance brings an exceptionally soft touch.
It is worth mentioning that BASF's state-of-the-art Center of Excellence for Superabsorbency at the Verbund plant in Antwerp, Belgium, was put into production in October 2023.
Source: BASF, New Chemical Materials