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Story Archives: BASF announces $20 million expansion of Vidalia plant
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BASF announces $20 million expansion of Vidalia plant
BASF Corporation has announced a $20 million expansion of its Vidalia plant, town officials announced today (Wednesday).
"This is almost like a new industry for our area with this expansion," Mayor Hyram Copeland said. "We are excited about this and all other projects underway in town. We think 2012 will be a bumper year."
In a press release today (Wednesday), BASF Corporation announced that it "will be investing $20 million over the next 18 months to create a world-class manufacturing environment for activated alumina adsorbent products at its Vidalia plant."
Heather Malone, Executive Director of the Concordia Economic & Industrial Development District, said BASF's Vidalia expansion is connected to the company's decision to shut down its Port Allen plant. She said the Vidalia and Port Allen plants had been sharing top management with both facilities in full production.
"Workers at the Vidalia plant were notified Tuesday about the expansion," Malone said. "After that, the company contacted us."
The Vidalia plant offices are located on the corner of Logan Sewell and Martin Luther King.
BASF's press release noted that this "is a long-term improvement project that will consolidate the company's regional manufacturing activities in a single, state-of-the-art operating environment. As part of this project, the company will increase its production capacity and operating capabilities in Vidalia, while transferring production from its smaller adsorbents plant in Port Allen, Louisiana, over time. As a result, the Port Allen facility is expected to discontinue operations in 2013."
BASF said its "Port Allen plant employs approximately 20 and manufactures activated alumina adsorbents primarily used for Claus catalysis, hydrogen peroxide production, chloride and fluoride removal. BASF's Vidalia plant employs approximately 50 and manufactures activated alumina adsorbents primarily used for petrochemical purification, air drying, Claus catalysis, chloride and fluoride removal and other processes. The production assets currently located in Port Allen will be duplicated in Vidalia, either by relocating existing assets or installing enhanced new assets."
Dr. Hans-Peter Neumann, BASF Senior Vice President, Process Catalysts and Technologies, said: "We will make substantial improvements to our manufacturing infrastructure in Vidalia to optimize our production efficiencies and position BASF to cost-effectively meet increasing demand for our high-quality adsorbent products."
"A detailed project plan has been established to ensure a smooth and seamless transition for BASF, its customers and its employees," added Gary Hutchison, who serves as BASF Site Manager for both the Port Allen and Vidalia operations. "We look forward to successfully implementing this ambitious site enhancement project, which will position us for long-term growth in the global adsorbents market."
Copeland said the "port project is more essential now that BASF is expanding here. We'll be working with them to meet their needs as far as a port goes.For the full story, subscribe to the The Concordia Sentinel's NEW E-Edition! |
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