German chemical company, BASF, is to increase production capacity for 1.6-hexane diol (HDO) at its corporate site in Ludwigshafen, Germany, by more than 20% before the end of 2006, taking the company's annual global capacity to 42,000 metric tons. BASF operates a HDO plant at the corporate site in Freeport, Texas as well as Ludwigshafen.

The capacity expansion comes in response to steadily increasing demand. "With this expansion, we're helping our customers to achieve sustainable growth and supporting them in the development of innovative applications," said Hartwig Michels, head of the Business Unit Diols and Polyalcohols.

HDO's properties are essential in the manufacture of resins for coatings, plastics and binding agents.