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HIGH-PURITY CHEMICALS TOWARDS NET ZERO

BASF setting up new semiconductor-grade sulphuric OMV unveils Austria’s largest green hydrogen facility

acid plant in Germany Austrian chemicals, fuels and
energy fi rm, OMV, has announced the
BASF is investing a “high singly strong demand for high-quality Resins division, commented, “We are successful start-up of its 10 megawatts
double-digit million-euro” amount to and high-purity semiconductor-grade proud to have earned the trust of key (MW) green hydrogen production
expand its production capacity for sem- chemicals, such as sulphuric acid. players in the semiconductor sector plant, located at the Schwechat refi nery
iconductor-grade sulphuric acid, which and to serve them as their partner near Vienna, the largest of its kind in
is an essential ultra-pure chemical. The “This need has been accelerated by of choice in establishing the future Austria.
new facility at its Ludwigshafen site a close cooperation partner of BASF, supply chain for advanced semicon-
in Germany will feature cutting-edge who is currently building a new chip ductor materials in Europe.” Approximately Euro 25-mn have
purity capabilities to serve growing production plant in Europe. These been invested in the facility, which has
demand for advanced semiconductor chips are used in automotive, mobile BASF is a leader in supplying the the capacity to produce up to 1,500
chip manufacturing across Europe. communications and AI chip applica- semiconductor industry with high- metric tons of green hydrogen per
tions. BASF is investing in the semi- purity single bulk chemicals and year. The green hydrogen will be used
Operations at the facility are expec- conductor chemical value chain based specialised chemical formulations to produce more sustainable fuels and Chemicals, said, “By building robust targets, OMV has set itself the goal of
ted to start by 2027, coinciding with the on mutual long-term customer-supplier essential for semiconductor manufacturing. chemicals, including sustainable avia- local production and supply chains for becoming net zero by 2050 at the latest.
capacity expansion of key customers. commitments with its strategic part- The company offers a portfolio of mate- tion fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel green hydrogen in Europe, OMV is not This will be supported by fl agship
ners,” BASF said in a press note. rials primarily used in semiconductor (HVO). only advancing climate goals but also transformation projects in areas such as
With several new chip manufac- Mr. Anup Kothari, member of the Board production proceses, including cleaning, safeguarding industrial progress. The geothermal energy, sustainable aviation
turing plants being constructed or ex- of Executive Directors of BASF, etching, metal deposition, and chemical OMV said the 10-MW polymer expertise gained from this initiative fuel, and the chemical recycling in the
panded in Europe, there is an increa- responsible for the Dispersions & mechanical planarisation. electrolyte membrane (PEM) electro- will act as a springboard for pioneer- chemical sector. A central component
lyser is powered entirely by renewable ing projects, laying the foundation for a of this transformation is the production
Huntsman bolsters semiconductor-grade amines electricity generated from wind, hydro, cleaner, more resilient tomorrow.” and use of green hydrogen, generated
and solar. Mr. Martijn van Koten, OMV through electrolysis, to support the pro-
capabilities at US site Board Member Fuels & Feedstock and Aligned with European climate duction processes at refi neries.

American chemicals fi rm, Huntsman, Kuwait’s PIC takes stake in petchem assets
said its Performance Products division
has expanded its manufacturing site in of Wanhua Chemical
Conroe, Texas (US) to cater to its global
customers in the semiconductor Kuwait’s Petrochemical Industries
industry. Co. (PIC) has acquired a 25% stake
worth $638-mn in a subsidiary wholly
Mr. Peter Huntsman, Chairman, owned by China’s Wanhua Chemical
President, and CEO of Huntsman, stated, Group as part of Kuwait’s plans to
“With the rapid growth of AI and the boost its petrochemicals footprint.
need for high-quality advanced node
chips, our investment in Conroe marks The agreement was signed by
our commitment to developing new Ms. Nadia Al Hajji, CEO of PIC, and
semiconductor-grade products and Mr. Kou Guangwu, President of Wanhua
enhancing supply chain security to commitment to safety, quality, reliability, ing supplier of semiconductor-grade Chemical, during an offi cial ceremony
support the demands of our customers and manufacturing excellence will help amines,” said Mr. Jan Buberl, President held in Yantai, China, in presence of
worldwide.” The new E-Grade unit ensure a consistent production process – of Performance Products. “We now Mr. Shaikh Nawaf Al-Sabah, Deputy
will bolster Huntsman’s portfolio by from blending, purifi cation through have the global manufacturing capabi- Chairman and CEO, KPC, and Mr. Liao
providing high-purity, low-trace metal packaging. lity, R&D expertise, and broad portfolio Zengtai, Chairman of Wanhua Chemi-
amines, including quaternary amines to offer our customers with solutions cal. According to Mr. Al-Sabah, the
and amine oxides, essential for semicon- “With this unique offering, we are that meet the industry’s highest quality agreement marks Kuwait’s largest
ductor chip manufacturing. Huntsman’s well positioned to become a world-lead- standards,” he added. petrochemical investment in China.

148 Chemical Weekly May 13, 2025 Chemical Weekly May 13, 2025 149

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