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BASF PETRONAS Chemicals utilizes new 1,4-butanediol plant below capacity

27 Feb 2004 - BASF PETRONAS Chemicals Sdn Bhd, which successfully commissioned its 1,4-butanediol (BDO) plant in Kuantan, Malaysia in January this year, has decided to temporarily utilize the capacity of the plant only to a limited extent. This measure will be effective from March 1, 2004, in response to current unfavorable global market conditions. BASF PETRONAS Chemicals is a 60-40 joint venture between BASF Aktiengesellschaft, Ludwigshafen, Germany, and the Malaysian state-owned company Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS).
 
Customers will not be affected by this temporary below-capacity utilization. As the global market leader in butanediol, BASF provides a reliable supply via its worldwide network of BDO plants in Europe, NAFTA and Asia.
 
"Utilization below capacity at this time will allow us to improve efficiencies in our operations," said Dr. Walter Gramlich, President of BASF's Operating Division Intermediates. "At the same time, we can react flexibly as soon as market conditions improve. This is very important to us since we have a commitment to the butanediol markets."