KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – BASF and PETRONAS have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to undertake a joint feasibility study to produce specialty chemicals in Malaysia, a move that would extend the two parties’ existing business collaboration in the country.

The two parties will evaluate the technical, commercial and economic viability of jointly owning and operating world-scale facilities for the production of specialty chemicals including non-ionic surfactants, methanesulfonic acid and iso-nonanol, as well as other C4-based specialty chemical products. The final scope of the investments will be determined following the outcome of the study, which is targeted for completion in 2011.