Bayer CropScience Builds MPE Plant in Cologne

Bayer CropScience has reported that it is building a new plant for the production of methane phosphonous acid n-butyl ester, an intermediate in the production of the crop protection active substance glufosinate-ammonium, at the Knapsack Chemical Park near Cologne. Glufosinate-ammonium is marketed worldwide under the trade names Basta and Liberty.

The contract for the planning and construction of the new MPE plant was awarded to Bayer Technology Services (BTS). The project is also being supported by InfraServ & Co. Knapsack (ISK), the operator of the Knapsack Chemical Park. Major companies share an integrated raw materials network at the 160 hectare chemical park to produce chemical precursors and intermediates for the processing industry.

The company says that the expansion of the existing methane phosphonous acid n-butyl ester (MPE) plant at Knapsack will increase its capacity. The new facility will consist of a building 45 meters high and two ancillary plants. Construction is expected to take between 12 and 14 months.

Friedrich Berschauer, chairman of the board of management of Bayer CropScience, said: “This E60 million investment in our most successful herbicide active substance will allow us to exploit the growth potential of this important market segment over the long term.”