BASF intends to expand super-absorbent polymer plants

Superabsorbent polymers are plastics with the capacity to absorb up to 500 times their own weight in liquid.

Superabsorbent polymers are mainly used to make diapers. Adult incontinence products and female hygiene products are another priority area of research and marketing for the white granules.

BASF said the gradual debottlenecking and technical expansion measures are to raise annual capacity by 70,000 tonnes to a total of 470,000 tonnes by 2012, with each site contributing an additional 35,000 tonnes.

The additional superabsorbent polymer volumes are also required to prepare investments at new sites in growth markets.