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• New production line in Yeosu, Korea will serve growing market demand for high performance specialty plastics;
• Additional annual capacity of 6,000 metric tons for the entire product range.
The new line will start up at the end of 2017, adding a production capacity of 6,000 metric tons per year and bringing BASF’s total annual capacity of Ultrason to 24,000 metric tons.
“With this expansion we respond to global market growth. Our customers worldwide will benefit from BASF’s strong production set-up in two key regions,” said Raimar Jahn, President, Performance Materials, BASF.
BASF produces Ultrason in Ludwigshafen, Germany and in Yeosu, Korea. Following the start-up of the plant in Korea in 2014, the company continues its commitment to supplying markets globally with high performance thermoplastics. Both locations are designed to produce the entire product range and provide BASF with the flexibility to optimize supply capabilities to customers around the world.
Ultrason is the trade name for BASF’s product range of polyethersulfone (Ultrason E), polysulfone (Ultrason S), and polyphenylsulfone (Ultrason P).
“This investment strengthens our competitive position and increases our flexibility to provide all grades of Ultrason to our customers in Asia and worldwide,” said Kin Wah Chay, Vice President, Global Business Management Specialty Plastics, BASF.
Ultrason is used in applications in the consumer, electronics, automotive and aerospace industries. Common applications include heat-resistant, lightweight components in, for example, household appliances or fittings for drinking water pipes. The market growth of polyarylsulfones is strongest for filtration membranes in technical and healthcare applications especially in Asia’s emerging markets.
About BASF’s Performance Materials Division
BASF’s Performance Materials division (performance-materials.basf.com) encompasses the entire materials know-how of BASF regarding innovative, customized plastics under one roof. Globally active in four major industry sectors - transportation, construction, industrial applications and consumer goods the division has a strong portfolio of products and services combined with a deep understanding of application-oriented system solutions. Key drivers of profitability and growth are our close collaboration with customers and a clear focus on solutions. Strong capabilities in R&D provide the basis to develop innovative products and applications. In 2015, the Performance Materials division achieved global sales of €6.7 billion.
About BASF
At BASF (basf.com), we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. The approximately 112,000 employees in the BASF Group work on contributing to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio is organized into five segments: Chemicals, Performance Products, Functional Materials & Solutions, Agricultural Solutions and Oil & Gas. BASF generated sales of more than €70 billion in 2015. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN).
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marian.a.krafft[.]basf.com 
