BASF to build new emulsion polymers plant in Texas

Chemical company BASF has announced plans to build a new production plant for emulsion polymers in Freeport, Texas.

The plant will manufacture acrylic emulsion polymers used for architectural coatings, construction chemicals, adhesives and the paper chemicals industry.

“The new plant strengthens our position as a leading supplier of emulsions in North America,” BASF senior vice-president of dispersions and pigments Derek Fairclough said in a statement.

“This investment further supports our business growth strategy, especially in architectural coatings, where we are targeting significant growth with our range of innovative products and solutions.”

BASF currently operates three emulsion polymer plants in North America: in Monaca, Penn.; Chattanooga, Tenn.; and Altamira, Mexico.

The firm is also building new manufacturing facilities for emulsion polymers in India, and the company also opened new plants in South Africa in September 2012 and in China in November 2012.

The new plant, which is expected to begin production in mid-2014, will create approximately 25 new jobs at the Freeport site.