BASF acquires PU raw material maker

LUDWIGSHAFEN, Germany (Jan. 4)—BASF A.G., through its Belgian subsidiary BASF Antwerpen N.V., has agreed to buy the Belgian activities of the Italian SISAS Group, which produce a range of chemicals, including butanediol and butanediol derivatives. Butanediol is a raw material for the production of elastomeric polyurethane fibers and thermoplastic polyurethanes. Subject to regulatory approval, the deal will give BASF an added 125,000 metric tons of annual production capacity for butanediol, its derivatives and precursor maleic anhydride, BASF said.