BASF started operations in a new emulsion polymers plant at its integrated Verbund site in Freeport, Texas. The acrylic emulsion polymers manufactured at this new plant are used for architectural coatings, construction chemicals, adhesives and applications in the paper chemicals industry.
BASF added 25 new jobs at the Freeport site to operate and maintain the new plant. A formal ribbon cutting and grand opening ceremony is planned for February 2015.
“The new plant strengthens our position as a leading supplier of emulsions in North America and demonstrates our commitment to customers in the coatings, construction, adhesives and paper industries,” said Gerry Podesta, Senior Vice President, Dispersions & Pigments, for BASF in North America. “This investment further supports our business strategy, where we are targeting significant growth with our range of innovative products and solutions.”
BASF operates four emulsion polymer plants throughout North America in Monaca, Pennsylvania; Chattanooga, Tennessee and Altamira, Mexico. The plant in Freeport broadens the supply network to better serve all BASF customers in the central-southern United States. In addition BASF built new manufacturing facilities for emulsion polymers in India in 2014, and in South Africa and China in 2013.
BASF says it is committed to strong environmental, health and safety practices at its sites and acknowledges the efforts of its employees and contractors to make safety a priority during this construction project. Construction began in February 2013, involving hundreds of contractors who built the plant with a strong focus on safety.
“The collaboration between the BASF project and operations teams and Zachry, the lead construction contractor for the project, was excellent. This was important to the outstanding safety performance on the project and the overall high quality of the construction for the new plant,” said Gerhard Schumacher, Vice President, Manufacturing, Dispersions, Resins & Additives, for BASF in North America.
