BASF has begun the expansion of its vitamin A production plant in Ludwigshafen, Germany, which will create approximately 20 new jobs at the site.

BASF says that the expansion will add approximately 600 machines and devices, 4,000 pipelines and 5,000 measuring points to the plant’s process control system.

The company estimates that the expansion will be completed by 2020, and will expand BASF’s annual production capacity of vitamin A by 1,500 metric tonnes.

BASF supplies vitamin A to clients in the human and animal nutrition industries as well as the personal care sector, and the expansion of the plant will allow the company to meet the growing demand for vitamin A from consumers.

Michael Heinz, member of the board of executive directors of BASF SE and Site Director of Ludwigshafen said: “The world-scale plant will enable us to support our customers’ growth plans.

“At the same time, it contributes to the competitiveness of the site as it is currently the second largest investment project in Ludwigshafen after the acetylene plant.”