News | June 8, 2010

BASF Adds L-Menthol To Product Range

  • World's largest plant expected to go on stream in Ludwigshafen in 2012
  • New aroma chemical from the citral Verbund
  • Innovative production method delivers ultra-pure product

BASF is constructing a new production plant for the aroma chemical L-menthol at the company's Ludwigshafen site. The new plant is expected to come on stream in 2012. L-Menthol is another important addition to BASF's citral value chain. The investment will create 35 new jobs in Ludwigshafen.

"As the world's top-selling aroma chemical in tons, L-menthol is an ideal addition to our product range in a strong growth market. The move consolidates our position as a leading aroma chemicals supplier," commented Gabriel Tanbourgi, head of the Care Chemicals division. "BASF developed and patented the L-menthol production method itself. It enables us to supply an extremely pure product of superior quality."

L-menthol is an ingredient in numerous dental care, flavoring and pharmaceutical industry products. It is used for instance to give toothpastes and mouthwashes a refreshing taste and for peppermint flavored candy and chewing gum. It is mainly used in the pharmaceutical industry in balms and creams to relieve congestion and ease breathing in colds.

About BASF
BASF is the world's leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics and performance products to agricultural products, fine chemicals as well as oil and gas. As a reliable partner BASF creates chemistry to help its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF posted sales of more than €50B in 2009 and had approximately 105,000employees as of the end of the year. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). For more information on BASF, visit: www.basf.com.

SOURCE: BASF