BASF is to build a new plant for the production of 3000 metric tons per year of vitamin B2 at its site in Kunsan, Korea. As a result, BASF will extend its annual production capacity from 1000 to 3000 metric tons. The vitamin B2 plant currently operated in Ludwigshafen will be used for other products. This measure is part of a previously announced capital expenditure programme of EUR 600 million that is aimed at extending the company’s vitamins business.
When the plant goes on-stream in 2003, the Kunsan site will become a centre of competence for the fermentative production of fine chemicals. Fermentation involves the chemical reaction of substances with the aid of micro-organisms such as bacterial or fungal cultures. With an installed production capacity of approximately 100,000 metric tons of lysine per year, Kunsan is already one of the world’s largest fermentative production sites.
