BASF will build a new integrated production facility for polytetrahydrofuran (PolyTHF®) and tetrahydrofuran (THF) in the newly developed Shanghai Chemical Industry Park (SCIP) at Caojing, Shanghai, China. The plants with an annual capacity of 60,000 metric tons of PolyTHF and 80,000 metric tons of THF are scheduled to come on stream in 2004. The environmental assessment for the project has already been approved by the Chinese authorities and the economic feasibility study has also been submitted for approval. The plants will use BASF’s newly developed proprietary technology to convert butane directly to THF and subsequently to PolyTHF. This innovative technology eliminates the intermediary step of 1,4-Butanediol (BDO) which was previously necessary. This will be the largest PolyTHF production facility worldwide and will supply the rapidly developing Chinese spandex fibers market. China’s entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO) will further fuel the growth of the textile industry and the corresponding demand for spandex fibres.
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