BASF opens chemical production complex for architectural coatings in Dahej

BASF India Limited has inaugurated its large-scale chemical production complex at Dahej in Gujarat, India. With a project cost of INR1000 crore (approximately €150M), the site represents BASF’s single largest investment in India.
The site was jointly inaugurated by Smt Anandiben Patel, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Gujarat; Shri Saurabhbhai Patel, Hon’ble Minister for Finance, Energy and Petrochemicals, Government of Gujarat and Mr Michael Heinz, Member of the Board of Executive Directors, BASF SE.
Heinz said: "As part of our investment plans of more than €10bn in Asia Pacific between 2013 and 2020, we want to strengthen our production platform in India. With our new Dahej site we are enhancing our position as supplier with local production and can even better ‘create chemistry’ with our customers. With our advanced technologies and the commitment of our team in India, we will both contribute to and benefit from India’s huge market potential."
The site includes an integrated hub for polyurethane manufacturing and production facilities for care chemicals and polymer dispersions. The care chemicals facility at the Dahej site hosts the first BASF sulphation plant in India, which will cater to customers in the fast-moving consumer goods sector.
The polymer dispersions plant will expand BASF’s production footprint in the dispersions business, complementing the Mangalore facility. It will serve architectural coatings, paper and board, construction, adhesives and fibre bonding customers, located in northern and western India.
The integrated polyurethane manufacturing facility will host an MDI (methylene diphenyl diisocyanate) splitter for processing crude MDI, a core component in the manufacture of versatile polyurethane products. They are used extensively for cold, as well as heat insulation applications and are the preferred material for improving safety in transportation and enhancing energy efficiency and comfort at home.
The site will also produce Elastollan TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane), Cellasto (microcellular polyurethane components) and Polyurethane Systems.