BASF could cut output further amid fragile gas supply
BASF는 이미 천연 가스에 크게 의존하는 암모니아 생산을 줄이고 있으며, 가스 가격이 낮은 유럽 이외의 지역에서 암모니아가 필요로 하는 일부를 조달하고 있습니다. 암모니아는 주로 질소 비료에 사용되지만 엔지니어링 플라스틱 및 디젤 배기 유체의 필수 입력물이기도 합니다. 암모니아 생산은 식품 등급의 이산화탄소를 부산물로 생산하는데, 이는 육류와 탄산음료 산업에 필요합니다. BASF는 지난 7월 일부 생산 라인은 암모니아 생산 감소를 예고하면서 생산량 감소의 대상이 될 수 있다고 경고했습니다. 당시 삭감 대상으로는 일산화탄소와 수소의 혼합물인 syngas와 염기성 석유화학 아세틸렌도 언급했습니다. 경쟁 암모니아 제조업체인 Yara YAR입니다.OL과 CF Industries CF입니다.N사는 지난 달 치솟는 가스 가격 때문에 유럽에서 암모니아 생산을 줄이고 있다고 말했습니다. (루드비히 버거 편집의 보고 토마스 에스크리트와 마크 포터) (루드윅)입니다.burger@thomsonreuters.com; +49 30 220133634;)입니다.
By Ludwig Burger
FRANKFURT, Sept 5 (Reuters) – BASF BASFn.DE is monitoring the natural gas market closely and could cut production further if needed after Russia suspended deliveries through its main gas pipeline to Germany, the chemicals giant said on Monday.
Responding to questions from Reuters, the Germany-based company, one of the largest natural gas users in the country, added it was bracing for high and volatile gas prices.
European stocks fell on Monday and gas prices surged after Russia indefinitely extended a shutdown of Nord Stream 1, one of its main gas supply routes to Europe.
“BASF is monitoring the situation and will decide, depending on the situation, on any changes to the production value chain as appropriate,” it said in a statement.
BASF is already reducing production of ammonia, which relies heavily on natural gas, and sourcing some it its ammonia needs from outside Europe, where gas prices are lower.
Ammonia is mainly used for nitrogen fertiliser but is also a vital input for engineering plastics and diesel exhaust fluid. Ammonia production yields food-grade carbon dioxide as a byproduct, which is needed by the meat and fizzy drinks industries.
BASF warned in July some lines of production could be subject to output cuts as it flagged lower ammonia production. It also mentioned syngas, a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, and basic petrochemical acetylene as candidates for cutbacks at the time.
Rival ammonia makers Yara YAR.OL and CF Industries CF.N said last month they were slashing ammonia production in Europe due to soaring gas prices.
(Reporting by Ludwig Burger Editing by Thomas Escritt and Mark Potter)
((ludwig.burger@thomsonreuters.com; +49 30 220133634;))
