BASF'S crackers, petrochemical units at Ludwigshafen shut after explosion

18-Oct-16

Petrochemical major BASF has shut its steam crackers at its Ludwigshafen site in Germany after an explosion at the port, as per company sources in Platts
"I can confirm there has been an explosion at Ludwigshafen facility, there are several fires and that both crackers are down. Other plants on the site are being shut down for safety reasons," a spokeswoman said, adding that the explosion took place as work was being carried out on a pipeline. "Ludwigshafen residents are asked to remain indoors and to close all doors and windows," the chemical company said in a statement said on Twitter.
The two steam crackers, which have a combined capacity of 620,00 mt of ethylene, use naphtha and liquefied petroleum gas as feedstock. A company statement confirmed there had been some gas flaring at the site.