Chemicals group: polyurethanes, engineering plastics, foams and cathode materials for batteries
BASF SE
Ludwigshafen (Headquarters) · Schwarzheide · AntwerpNew on Amplifa
About BASF SE
BASF was founded in 1865 as Badische Anilin- & Sodafabrik and is today a globally active chemical group headquartered at the Verbund site in Ludwigshafen. This profile focuses on the Schwarzheide site, which has been part of the BASF Group since 1990. BASF Schwarzheide GmbH produces polyurethane base products and systems, engineering plastics (Ultradur PBT), foams (Neopolen, Basotect), performance chemicals, crop protection products and water-based automotive coatings. Since 2023, the site has operated the first fully automated high-volume production plant for cathode materials in Europe, with capacity for up to 400,000 electric cars per year, as well as a commercial facility for black mass production from used batteries with recovery of lithium and nickel. The site comprises 15 production plants, 12 km of roads and bridges as well as three infrastructure facilities and is the operator of the Lausitz Industrial Park. Served industries include automotive/e-mobility, agriculture, construction and textiles.
- Site
- Ludwigshafen
- Processes
- Production of polyurethane base products and systems, Production of engineering plastics (Ultradur PBT), Production of foams (Neopolen, Basotect), Production of performance chemicals (PU dispersions), Manufacture of cathode materials for batteries (fully automated high-volume production), Black mass production from used batteries (battery recycling), Operation of the Lausitz Industrial Park (site services, infrastructure management), Polyurethane base products and systems
- Materials
- Polyurethane, Engineering plastics (Ultradur PBT), Foams (Neopolen, Basotect), Cathode material, Black mass, PU dispersions
- Founded
- 1865
- Industries
- Chemicals, Automotive/E-mobility, Agriculture/Crop protection, Construction, Textiles
- 01
Raw material supply (Verbund)
- 02
Chemical production of base products
- 03
Further processing into plastics, foams and dispersions
- 04
Manufacture of cathode materials and battery recycling
- 05
Site services and infrastructure management
- 06
Distribution via myBASFWorld and country subsidiaries
Materials & Processes
Polyurethane
Base products and systems as raw materials for components
Engineering plastics (Ultradur PBT)
Polybutylene terephthalate for durable components
Foams (Neopolen, Basotect)
versatile foams for universal applications
Cathode material
for lithium-ion batteries of electric cars
Black mass
Recycling product from used batteries containing lithium and nickel
PU dispersions
Performance chemicals for product finishing
Sites
Ludwigshafen
DEHeadquarters / Verbund site (largest worldwide, approx. 10 km²)
Schwarzheide
DEProduction site (Lausitz Industrial Park)
- Lot size
- High-volume series
- Materials
- Polyurethane, PBT, foams, cathode material
- High-volume production plant for cathode materials (2023)
- Facility for black mass production from used batteries
Antwerp
BEVerbund site (second most important production site of the group)
- Steam cracker (1994)
Products & Components
Inside the production
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Production of polyurethane base products and systemsPlastics | – | – | – | – | Polyurethane |
| Production of engineering plastics (Ultradur PBT)Plastics | – | – | – | – | Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) |
| Production of foams (Neopolen, Basotect)Plastics | – | – | – | – | Foam (Neopolen, Basotect) |
| Production of performance chemicals (PU dispersions)Plastics | – | – | – | – | PU dispersions |
| Manufacture of cathode materials for batteries (fully automated high-volume production)Plastics | – | – | – | – | Cathode material (lithium, nickel) |
| Black mass production from used batteries (battery recycling)Engineering | – | – | – | – | Black mass (lithium, nickel) |
2 Anlagen & Maschinen
| Machine | Manufacturer / model | Quantity | Working area | Year built | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High-volume production plant for cathode materials | BASF | 1 | – | 2023 | Schwarzheide |
| Facility for black mass production from used batteries | BASF | 1 | – | – | Schwarzheide |
Additional services
History
- 1865
Foundation of Badische Anilin- & Sodafabrik (BASF) on April 6, 1865 in Mannheim by Friedrich Engelhorn; production site in Ludwigshafen
- 1935
Construction of the Schwarzheide hydrogenation plant (BRABAG) for synthetic gasoline production from lignite (Fischer-Tropsch); commissioned from 1936
- 1952
Refounding of Badische Anilin- & Soda-Fabrik AG on January 30, 1952 as a successor company of IG Farben
- 1973
Start of polyurethane production in Schwarzheide (VEB Synthesewerk Schwarzheide)
- 1990
Acquisition of VEB Synthesewerk Schwarzheide by BASF from the Treuhandanstalt; since then BASF Schwarzheide GmbH; subsequent investments of over €1.5 billion
- 2023
Commissioning of the first fully automated high-volume production plant for cathode materials in Europe in Schwarzheide (capacity for up to 400,000 electric cars/year)