BASF Relocating Vitamin E Production

LUDWIGSHAFEN, GermanyBASF has decided to relocate the production of its Kolliphor TPGS vitamin E polyethylene glycol succinate from the United States to Germany, starting in 2013 and completing the move sometime in early 2014. The ingredient, which is used in pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and cosmetics, is currently made in Kankakee, IL, which also produces BASF's nutrition and health business, as well as ingredients for soaps, shampoos, detergents, coatings, inks and adhesives. The company said it is transferring the water-soluble Vitamin E production to Minden, Germany, because the site is more centralized and offers more expansion possibilities. Until production in Minden is fully operational, the product will continue to be produced in Kankakee.

The relocation creates a more centralized production facility, reduces complexity in the production setup, and provides room for future expansion, explained Thorsten Schmeller, Ph.D., head of global marketing new products, Global Business Unit Pharma Ingredients & Services, BASF. He noted the Minden site has manufactured active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and excipients under cGMP for more than 70 years and is regularly inspected by the FDA and European health authorities. "Thanks to the ICH Q7 quality management standards at our Minden site, we will be able to offer a Kolliphor TPGS grade that fulfills the requirements of an API."

Schmeller further assured the Kankakee site will fully support pharmaceutical and nutraceutical customers during the transition. We have scheduled a generous supply overlap that we expect allows for a seamless transition, he said. Our projection also takes into account the appropriate qualification period required to transition products used in pharmaceutical applications.