BASF raises production capacity for selected alkylalkanolamines
German specialty chemical company, BASF, has boosted its production capacities for the intermediates dimethylethanolamines (DMEOA) and methyldiethanolamine (MDEOA) by 25%. The company now has an aggregate alkylalkanolamine capacity of about 50,000 metric tons per annum. With the capacity increase BASF is responding to the growing demand for these products. Both amines, DMEOA and MDEOA, both produced at the company’s
DMEOA is principally used as a precursor for flocculants in effluent water treatment. This product binds the tiniest floating particles in the water and rapidly settles them to the bottom. DMEOA is therefore applied in water treatment and in preconditioning effluent from chemical, paper and automotive manufacturing operations. Products made with DMEOA have been given a positive environmental performance evaluation by the European Union. DMEOA is also employed in the coatings industry to promote binding color particles and resins.
MDEOA is applied in gas scrubber operations to remove acidic components like carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S). It is intrinsic to the gas scrubbing technology developed by BASF, marketed under its aMDEA (activated methyldiethanolamine) trademark and used around the globe. In addition MDEOA is used as precursor in laundry softeners.
