Ludwigshafen-based BASF recently announced its major investment plan in superabsorbent technology, which is worth about $625 million.
According to BASF, over the period of next three years, it will establish droplet polymerisation capability in its plants world over so that it can maintain its leadership position in superabsorbent polymers. BASF will launch innovative superabsorbent polymer trademarked as SAVIVATM, which is scheduled to be launched at the end of 2016.
SAVIVATM has new liquid distribution system that makes it highly superabsorbent. According to BASF, this product has been tested in laboratories, with tested customers giving positive feedback. Currently BASF markets HySorb® superabsorbent polymers. The upgradation of existing plants to manufacture SAVIVATM will begin in Europe and will be subsequently followed in BASF´s manufacturing plants in Asia and America.
According to BASF, its production capacity for superabsorbent polymers is 590,000 metric tonnes annually.