Stabilisers supply scenario

Stabilisers protect plastics from degradation when exposed to heat and light. The market research institute Ceresana expects the global market for these indispensable additives to achieve revenues of almost $4.8 billion by 2018.

Demand for stabilisers depends on the development of the plastics industry, especially the field of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). As heat stabilisers are mainly used in PVC products intended for building, the construction industry in different countries are showing rising demand. Most important sales markets during the past year included profiles, pipes, and cables - with more than 85 percent of all stabilisers were used in these fields, according to Ceresana.

Ceresana forecasts that the Asia-Pacific will continue to have a major influence on market dynamics over the upcoming years. Moreover, the Middle East, South America and Eastern Europe record above-average growth rates of 3.5 to 4.7 percent. Light stabilisers constitute a quickly growing market worldwide. Especially the demand for HALS (Hindered Amine Light Stabilisers) used in products made from polypropylene and polyethylene will see considerable increases during next years. In addition, organic stabilisers, which used to have a small share, record dynamic development.

World-class production site
BASF opened its state-of-the-art production site for customer specific antioxidant blends (CSB) in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Operational since December, the facility is the largest of its kind worldwide. The plastic additives business of BASF is a leading manufacturer, supplier and innovation partner of additives and pigments for the plastics industry such as ultraviolet (UV) light stabilisers, antioxidants and process stabilisers, organic and inorganic pigments, effect pigments, and other additives.

With this investment BASF Plastic Additives continues to strengthen its position as the leading partner for the plastic processing industry worldwide and shows its strong commitment to support the growth of the polymer industry in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). CSB are additives-blends individually tailored to meet individual customer needs and are an integral part of the portfolio BASF offers to the plastics industry.

“BASF’s investment in this new site demonstrates our steadfast commitment to support growing industries in the Middle East, while at the same time setting standards with regard to quality, safety and employee training,” said Michael Heinz, Member of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF, during the opening ceremony. Kamal bin Ahmed, Minister of Transportation and Acting Chief Executive of the Bahrain Economic Development Board, said: “We are delighted to welcome BASF, a leading international company, to Bahrain. Large manufacturing firms like BASF are playing an increasingly important role in our economy and will be a significant part of our plan to create sustainable long term economic growth and high quality jobs.”

The facility, which is based on proprietary CSB technology, now provides local production and services to the fast growing polymer market in the Middle East with special focus on key customers in the countries of the GCC. It comes in addition to the existing manufacturing agreement for CSB with Astra Polymer in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which has been extended earlier this year.

John Frijns, Head of Plastic Additives Europe/EAWA, stresses the necessity of local structures: “At BASF, we are committed to accompany the growth in the region with technical and flexible supply solutions through local production.”

FUTSAL