BASF to expand vitamin A formulation plant in Ludwigshafen, sets up new nutrition unit
It will expand formulation capacities at its Verbund site in Ludwigshafen in an effort to strengthen its market position in that particular vitamin product.
“Start-up is planned for mid-2023, and will stepwise increase BASF’s vitamin A powder formulation capacities in line with the increased vitamin A acetate production capacity.”
The expansion of the vitamin A acetate plant in Ludwigshafen was completed in 2021, increasing BASF’s total annual nameplate capacity for vitamin A acetate to 3,800 metric tons.
The producer said the expansion exercise emphasizes that strategic role vitamin A has within its animal nutrition business.
“Our commitment to the vitamin A market remains strong,” said Julia Raquet, senior vice president of BASF’s new global business unit, Nutrition Ingredients. “This investment is part of our new operating model, leveraging and further strengthening core product platforms of our nutrition ingredients business. It underlines our ambition to meet market demands for vitamin A in the long term and ensures reliable, high-quality supply to our customers.”
New nutrition operating model
The creation of that new business unit within BASF, also announced today, combines the strategic and operational responsibilities of both its animal and human nutrition and health divisions. The new operating model is aimed at strengthening its position as an ingredients partner for customers in both sectors, said the German company.
The focus of that business, it said, will be on leveraging and further strengthening core product platforms and assets for vitamins and carotenoids as well as expanding the feed enzyme platform to maximize the nutritional value of feed.
January this year saw BASF boost the production capacity of its feed enzymes plant in Ludwigshafen to support the growth plans of customers in the animal nutrition industry.
BASF said it will, however, continue to serve its customers in animal nutrition and human nutrition with dedicated teams.
