By Seshadri Ramkumar

 

Posted December 2, 2014

 

LUBBOCK, Texas – Ludwigshafen, Germany-based BASF recently announced a major investment plan in superabsorbent technology, which is worth about $625 million.

 

According to BASF, over the period of next three years, it will establish droplet polymerization capability in its plants around the world so it can maintain its leadership position in superabsorbent polymers.

 

BASF will launch innovative superabsorbent polymer trademarked as SAVIVA™, which is scheduled to be launched at the end of 2016.

 

SAVIVA™ has new liquid distribution system that makes it highly superabsorbent. According to BASF, this product has been tested in laboratories, with tested customers giving positive feedback. Currently BASF markets HySorb® superabsorbent polymers.

 

The upgrade of existing plants to manufacture SAVIVATM will begin in Europe and will be subsequently followed in BASF’s manufacturing plants in Asia and America.

 

According to BASF, its production capacity for superabsorbent polymers is 590,000 metric tons annually.

 

Dr. Seshadri Ramkumar is professor of Countermeasures to Chemical and Biological Threats, Nonwovens & Advanced Materials at Texas Tech.