German chemical company BASF will expand the capacity of polymer dispersions at its manufacturing facility in Merak, Indonesia, to meet the demand for high-quality packaging in ASEAN.

The new expansion is anticipated to help BASF offer additional styrene-butadiene dispersions to new paper mills looking to increase their capacities in Southeast Asia and Oceania.

Bir Darbar Mehta — BASF Dispersions Asia Pacific Senior Vice President said: “The expansion will bring additional supply reliability to fulfill the growing demand for acrylics and styrene-butadiene dispersions in the Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand markets.

“It shows our commitment to enhancing regional production and providing quick responses to fulfill growing customer demand.

“It also reinforces BASF’s position as one of the leading and reliable suppliers in the region.

“With proximity to key raw materials and flexibility to produce both styrene-butadiene and acrylic dispersions, Merak remains a key supply point for all our customers, especially in the area of paper coatings.”

Established in 1994, the BASF Merak facility is situated nearby the company’s monomer suppliers and customers, and has an on-site jetty for logistics.

The expansion of the production line is anticipated to complete in the second half of 2023.

  BASF, Bir Darbar Mehta, Indonesia, Merak