Chemical supplies at risk following BASF factory fire

Building material suppliers who use certain chemicals in the manufacture of their products are likely to face supply chain difficulties after a massive explosion at German chemicals company BASF killed three people and injured dozens.

The explosion at the factory in Ludwigshafen happened in a pipeline taking

raw chemicals to shipping and the company is likely to face huge challenges in supplying customers.  The affected pipeline included ones with ethylene and propylene.

Ethylene is used for the production of insulating materials and solvents, among others. Propylene is used for the production of automotive paints, dispersions and adhesives, among others.