BASF boosts Ludwigshafen BDO output to secure European supply

Increased BDO production ensures reliable and consistent supply to customers across Europe

BASF’s Intermediates division is boosting supply security for European customers in the 1, 4-butanediol (BDO) value chain. By ramping up production at its Ludwigshafen plant in Germany, BASF is providing a stable, reliable supply to help clients manage the impact of recent BDO anti-dumping proceedings.

Leveraging its highly integrated Verbund structure across the entire acetylene value chain, BASF is increasing BDO output to strengthen the availability of key derivatives, including tetrahydrofuran (THF), polytetrahydrofuran (PolyTHF), and N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP). This integrated setup secures supply for critical downstream markets—such as polymers, solvents, and high-performance materials—while ensuring stable production planning. Focusing on production in Ludwigshafen highlights BASF’s strategic commitment to the European BDO market and aims to reinforce the long-term outlook for both the company and its customers.

“In an environment of shifting global markets and growing regionalization, robust and reliable regional production capabilities are becoming increasingly critical for our downstream industries,” explains Verena Siegel, Vice President Global Business Management for Butanediol and Derivatives in BASF’s Intermediates division.

In line with its sustainability strategy, BASF continues to expand its portfolio of more sustainable products, which includes, for instance, biomass balanced (BMB) versions of BDO, THF and PolyTHF that save fossil resources and reduce Product Carbon Footprints (PCFs).

“Producing more BDO in Ludwigshafen allows us to minimize transport needs and draw on the efficiencies of our integrated Verbund, resulting in a reduced PCF,” explains Sebastian Spicher, Senior Product Manager for Acetylene and Butanediol. “At the same time, we are advancing new solutions that make use of renewable electricity and renewable raw materials.” These measures help improve lifecycle performance across BDO derivatives and underline BASF’s commitment to driving more sustainable value chains.

BDO is a key intermediate used across numerous downstream markets, including polymers, textiles, automotive engineering, pharmaceuticals and consumer goods. BASF is one of the global leaders in BDO and its derivatives, operating two BDO production plants in Ludwigshafen, Germany, and Geismar, Louisiana.