BASF is the world's leading chemical company and is a major player in the Belgium economy. Their Antwerp site gives a good representation of the industrial giant, hosting the daily activities of some 5,000 employees and sub-contractors who produce a multitude of chemical raw materials and semi-finished goods. Their turnover is more than 6 billion Euros (2008).
For their energy needs, a company of BASF's size and importance seeks to build a partnership with a supplier who understands their specific requirements. The chemical company found such a partner with GDF SUEZ, a world leader with an entrepreneurial spirit and a commitment to sustainable development.
"Sustainable optimization" is BASF's governing principle, and they have built their site based on an integrative model for all chemical processes, production, energy and logistics. For their electricity and steam needs, the company also wished to apply this integration principle. With GDF SUEZ Global Energy (a GDF SUEZ subsidiary) acting as an expert advisor, BASF has resolutely chosen energy efficiency and renewable energy. A joint venture called Zandvliet Power was created, and since 2005, a cogeneration unit with a capacity of 400 MW has formed an integral part of BASF's energy chain. Besides the electricity mostly destined for the plant itself, the cogeneration unit produces up to 300 tons of steam per hour, which is added to the steam recovered from the chemical process.
After the successful creation of the cogeneration unit, BASF and GDF SUEZ renewed their partnership by seeking to diversify the chemical company's green electricity production. Since BASF has a particularly windy site in the port of Antwerp, GDF SUEZ chose that site to build the first phase of six wind turbines. This 12 MW-capacity wind turbine fleet produces around 35 GWh per year; production entirely destined for the plant. Emissions are reduced by no less than 14,000 tons of CO2 each year.
BASF is also partnered with GDF SUEZ to supply a portion of the gas destined for ammonia production. The chemical company is the leading industrial consumer of natural gas in Belgium and the quality of their process depends on a reliable supply. GDF SUEZ knew how to respond to BASF's requests, allowing the customer-supplier to jointly establish all the custom-made solutions and value supports for both parties.
This sustainable partnership is even more valuable during this period of global economic crisis. For large industrial groups who face the limits of a weakening economy, it is critical to be able to rely on their energy partner. Even in a context of economic uncertainty, the greatest energy challenges were worked out together.
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