As a result, citral will become a key building block for BASF's fine chemicals, forming the starting point for the production of vitamins A and E, as well as carotenoids and an extended range of aroma chemicals. Products based on citral are used in animal and human nutrition and in the health and cosmetics sectors.
"Such markets are close to the consumer. They are very large, show long-term stability and are likely to grow in the coming years, " said Peter Oakley, a member of the board of executive directors of BASF responsible for the agricultural products and nutrition segment. BASF expects fine chemicals markets to grow about 6 per cent on average by 2010.
With the start-up of the plant, BASF has implemented a key project in its €300 million investment programme for fine chemicals at the Ludwigshafen site.
The goal of investing in citral and its derivatives is to strengthen the company's activities in this field in the long term and further expand on BASF's position as the world leader in this sector, the firm said.