International chemicals company BASF has announced its intention to build a second sodium methylate production plant in South America.

The plant will be located in Argentina, and will be designed to produce about 60 000 t/y of the chemical.

The company wants to strengthen its regional presence in one of the most important growth markets for biodiesel. The construction of the plant is planned at BASF’s General Lagos site, in Rosario, which is in the centre of Argentina’s bio- diesel production hub.

Its first sodium methylate plant in South America, with the same production capacity, located in Guaratinguetá, Brazil, will start operation, as scheduled, at the end of this year.

“Thanks to both our excellent technology know-how for the production of sodium methylate and the strategically good location of our Brazilian and Argentinean sites, we’re creating a strong and competitive position for BASF in South America. “With the construction of a second plant, we will be able to strengthen this position,” BASF Inorganics division president Stefano Pigozzi says.

“The construction of another plant underlines the importance of biodiesel, as well as BASF’s commitment to this market and the South America region,” says BASF South America president Dr Alfred Hackenberger.

BASF reports that sodium methylate is a reliable and efficient catalyst for the production of biodiesel, allowing for high yields. Biodiesel is used increasingly as an alternative to fossil diesel fuels and is meeting the requirements of engine manufacturers for high-quality fuels.

The company expects about 20% of the yearly global demand for biodiesel, which is about 30-million tons, to come from South America by 2015.

To subscribe to Engineering News's print magazine email subscriptions@creamermedia.co.za or buy now.