BASF to sell polymer intermediates plant
Germany based chemicals company BASF is to sell its Seal Sands, UK, site to INEOS Nitriles. Acrylonitrile, aadipodinitrile and hexamethylenediamine are produced on a large scale at the site, as are a number of by-products. These intermediates are used to produce acrylic and polyamide fibres for clothing and carpets, among other applications. The hexamethylenediamine will be run by INEOS Nitriles, but will continue to be owned by BASF.
BASF currently employs approximately 240 workers at the site in Teeside, north east England, and a further 250 are employed by contractors. However, the workforce will be largely unaffected as staff will simply be employed by INEOS Nitriles when the deal is complete.
President of the BASF performance polymers division, Dr Harald Lauke, says: "The sale of the Seal Sands site is part of our approach to focus on the core assets of our polyamide value chain."
