BASF to expand capacity in Europe, South Korea for styrenic foam Neopor

28-Mar-07

BASF plans to increase capacity for its styrenic foam Neopor at Ludwigshafen, Germany, and commence production in South Korea, in a move to provide the most modern forms of insulation materials in the future through research and development. At Ludwigshafen, BASF will gradually switch production of Styropor (its EPS insulation material) to Neopor, increasing Neopar capacity from 60,000 tpa to 190,000 tpa. Demand for Neopor is expected to pick up as Neopor needs less material to achieve the same insulation quality as Styropor, contributing to energy efficiency and climate protection. BASF has built several low energy houses worldwide using Neopor. In Germany, BASF modernised an old building in Ludwigshafen to use only 3 litres pa of heating oil per square metre. The first expansion will take Neopor capacity to 100,000 tpa in a project set to be completed at the start of 2008. A new plant will be built for the additional 90,000 tons, estimated to be operational at the end of 2008. Ulsan, South Korea, has been chosen as the second global production site for Neopor and will serve the regional market. Planned capacity has not been disclosed.