BASF Strengthens Production of Acid Chlorides and Chloroformates with Fully Modernized Plant

The opening of BASF’s fully modernized plant at the Ludwigshafen Verbund site marks the successful combination of operational excellence and sustainability.

BASF officially inaugurated its fully modernized plant for the production of acid chlorides and chloroformates (ACCF) at the Ludwigshafen Verbund site. The new production asset represents a milestone for BASF’s Intermediates division, designed to combine increased production capacity with enhanced sustainability performance and long-term supply reliability for customers worldwide.

The investment, amounting to a low three-digit million-euro sum, includes a fundamental renewal of the production infrastructure for acid chlorides and chloroformates and increases production capacity at the site by approximately 30 percent. BASF is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of these products with production facilities in Ludwigshafen, Germany, and Yeosu, South Korea.

“The opening of this modernized plant demonstrates BASF’s commitment to investing in competitive and sustainable production assets at our Ludwigshafen Verbund site and in Europe. By combining increased capacity, supply reliability and a significantly reduced product carbon footprint, we are creating value for our customers and supporting their green transformation,” said Mary Kurian, Member of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE.

The opening also marks the successful combination of operational excellence and sustainability. Since 2025, BASF has produced its entire Ludwigshafen portfolio of around 25 acid chlorides and chloroformates using renewable electricity credits, including all upstream raw material processes. This transition has reduced the portfolio’s product carbon footprint by an average of 19 percent and supports customers in advancing their Scope 3 emission reduction efforts, without changes to product specifications, certifications or ordering processes.

The products from the ACCF portfolio serve as essential building blocks across a wide variety of value chains. Customers use them in a broad range of applications, including pharmaceuticals, crop protection products, organic peroxides, coatings, plastics and rubber mixtures. The expanded capacity is expected to help BASF meet growing global demand while supporting reliable supply of these important intermediates.

“This investment strengthens our position as one of the world’s leading suppliers of acid chlorides and chloroformates and supports our vision of being the preferred partner for sustainable intermediates. The modernized plant further supports our ability to provide reliable supply and consistent quality to customers around the world who depend on these essential intermediates,” said Ketan Joshi, President, BASF Intermediates division.

As part of its broader sustainability strategy, BASF continues to expand the use of renewable electricity and other more sustainable practices across its global intermediates business. The opening of the modernized plant is another important step in BASF’s overall ambition to be the preferred chemical company to enable its customers’ green transformation.