LUDWIGSHAFEN, GERMANY (Aug. 4, 12:15 p.m. ET) — BASF SE and CSM NV's Purac subsidiary are discussing forming a joint venture that will produce bio-based succinic acid.
Succinic acid is used to make adipic-based polyurethanes, phthalate-based plasticizers and acetate-based deicing solutions. Ludwigshafen-based BASF and Diemen, the Netherlands-based Purac have been researching bio-based succinic acid since 2009.
According to an Aug. 1 news release from the companies, demand for succinic acid will grow strongly in the next years, driven by bioplastics, chemical intermediates, solvents, polyurethanes and plasticizers.
“Until now our partnership has been very successful, and moving towards a joint venture will strengthen our goal to become the leading supplier in the succinic acid market,” said Andreas Kreimeyer, research executive director at BASF.
CSM plans to be the first commercial producer of bio-based succinic acid, with the planned 2013 startup of a 25,000-metric-ton-per-year plant near Barcelona, Spain.
