German petrochemicals firm BASF will end the production of adipic acid at its Ludwigshafen chemical complex in 2025, the firm said today.
Adipic acid is used for the production of aliphatic polyester polyols, which go into polyurethane production for end uses such as elastic foam, coatings and adhesives.
BASF had already reduced adipic acid production at Ludwigshafen in a wave of measures announced in 2023 as part of a structural overhaul to ensure future competitiveness of the site and the wider company.
The remaining adipic acid capacity was maintained partly to support the production of cyclododecanone (CDon) and cyclopentanone (CPon), but BASF will end production of those products at Ludwigshafen in the first half of 2025, reducing its need for adipic acid at the site.
The end of CDon, CPon and adipic acid production at Ludwigshafen next year is intended to improve profitability at the site, BASF said.
BASF still has adipic acid production in Chalampe, France, as part of a joint-venture with Domo Chemical which began in 2020. "In the changed market environment [the joint venture] has sufficient capacity to supply the business in Europe", BASF said in 2023 when it first announced the reduction of adipic acid production at Ludwigshafen.
