LUDWIGSHAFEN, Germany – BASF has implemented process improvements to provide a reliable and stable supply of its attapulgite offerings. The enhancements at BASF’s site in Quincy, Florida, include expanding of milling and product packaging capabilities for coarse gel, fine gel and granular materials, as well as improved logistics in shipping the mineral globally. This initiative is aligned with the increasing demand of attapulgite in BASF’s major markets around the world.
For the past few years, meeting the increasing demand for attapulgite has been challenging, especially in emerging economies where construction and infrastructure development has been on the rise.
“We have introduced several improvements to site operations, including investments in new packaging equipment, as well as upgrading throughput in our mills. These actions will strengthen our ability to provide a reliable supply of high-quality attapulgite-based materials to support the business growth of our customers globally,” said Dr. Claus Dallner, Vice President, Global Business Management for Additives, BASF.
BASF has also improved its warehouse management system to allow for ample safety stock to offset seasonal demand spikes. Customers from all over the world can know that their deliveries will be fulfilled even during peak seasons.
Attapulgite is a naturally mined needle-like clay mineral composed of magnesium-aluminium silicate. The mineral takes its name from the town of Attapulgus, Georgia, where the U.S. supply of the mineral is found. BASF operates its attapulgite mines in this area with the manufacturing facility located approximately 17 miles south of Attapulgus in Quincy, Florida. BASF owns the majority of the 18,000 acres in Florida and Georgia supplying the plant with the product.
“Our attapulgite products can help our customers reduce formulation complexity and improve efficiency. It offers very good colloidal properties, such as specific features in dispersion, high temperature endurance, salt and alkali resistance, as well as high adsorbing and de-coloring capabilities,” said Michelle Tadlock, Product Manager of Attapulgite, BASF.
BASF’s flagship brands, Attagel® and Microsorb®, cater to diverse market applications including the paint industry.
