Malaysia BASF Petronas Chemical's second iso-octanoic acid production line officially put into operation

Recently, Malaysia BASF Petronas Chemical (BPC) ushered in the official launch ceremony of the second iso-octanoic acid (2-EHAcid) production line at the Kuantan integration base in Malaysia. This expansion project not only marks another important milestone for BPC in the supply of high-quality allo-bitterness products, but also demonstrates its firm determination to meet the rapidly growing needs of customers in the Asia-Pacific region.

It is reported that the expansion project aims to cope with the rapid growth of market demand for high-quality products. Dr. Stephan Kothrade, Executive Board Member and Chief Technology Officer of BASF Group, said at the ceremony: "The successful start-up of the expansion project is an important step in our ability to increase profitability and create value. As part of our new strategy, we are committed to strengthening our core business presence in high-growth markets in Asia and ensuring that quality products meet the diverse needs of our customers."

At the launch ceremony, Dr. Ketan Joshi, President of BASF's Global Chemical Intermediates Business Department, Dr. Michael Becker, Senior Vice President of BASF and Head of Asia Pacific Intermediates Business Department, Encik Zamri Japar, Chief Manufacturing Officer of Malaysia Petronas Group, and Chen Yimian, Managing Director of BPC, jointly witnessed this important moment.

"The successful commissioning of the expansion project will enable us to better meet the demand for high-quality alloctanoic acid products in the Asia-Pacific region. By increasing production capacity, we will be able to respond more quickly to customer needs and further strengthen our position as a market-leading supplier. We are committed to being the preferred partner for sustainable intermediates, providing customers with superior products and services," Dr."

Mazuin Ismail, Managing Director and CEO of Petronas Petrochemicals Group (PCG) and President of BPC, also said: "The successful commissioning of the expansion project not only continues our solid partnership with BASF, but also marks our strong commitment to growth and cooperation. With the increase in production capacity, BPC's competitiveness in the Asian market will be further improved, laying a solid foundation for capturing growth opportunities. We will meet customer needs in an efficient and effective manner to ensure that customers can obtain first-class quality products in a timely manner."

At the ceremony, Managing Director Chen Yimian thanked the two parent companies, PetroMalaysia Petrochemical Group and BASF, for their support and said, "Their support is an important guarantee for the successful commissioning of the expansion project. At the same time, I also appreciate the excellent performance of the project team, whose hard work and outstanding contribution have enabled this important expansion project to be successfully completed."

It is worth mentioning that BPC's first isooctanoic acid device was put into production in 2016 and has played an important role in supporting the growth of the business in Asia. The second production line of this expansion broke ground in the first quarter of 2023 and will be fully put into operation in the third quarter of 2024, doubling the annual production capacity to 60000 tons. This expansion project not only further strengthens BPC's ability to drive innovation, but also demonstrates its strong commitment to meeting the needs of its global customers.

At the launch celebration, customers also visited the site to celebrate this important moment. This celebration not only highlights BPC's customer-centric philosophy, but also further deepens the partnership with customers.