Suche
Mein Konto
Technical defect at BASF: fire and noise in Ludwigshafen!
On September 26, 2025, a technical defect at the BASF Ludwigshafen plant led to visible fire and flares.
Technical defect at BASF: fire and noise in Ludwigshafen!
On Friday, September 26, 2025, a service interruption occurred at BASF SE's steam cracker in Ludwigshafen at around 5:15 p.m. The trigger was a technical defect that caused the company's safety systems to respond properly and excess gas to be burned in a controlled manner using a flare. This had visible consequences for the surrounding area: a fire that was visible from afar, noise and soot were the result of this torching activity, which, according to information from MRN News could last until the beginning of next week.
The steam cracker plays a central role in the production of ethylene and propylene - two raw materials that are used in plastics and paint production as well as in washing raw materials and pesticides. At temperatures of around 850 degrees Celsius, raw gasoline is split with the addition of steam. These processes are essential for production at the Ludwigshafen site. BASF also informed the relevant authorities about the incident and asks residents for their understanding of the temporary inconvenience caused by the flaring activities.
Review of previous incidents
It is not the first incident of this kind in 2025. Similar flare-ups occurred at the BASF factory in July due to technical defects. The repeated events raise questions about the reliability of the technical systems, as the flare is usually only used during certain operational disruptions in order to minimize safety risks. Loud Ludwigshafen24 The public was alarmed by the visible impact on the environment, which of course also represents a significant burden for local residents.
In addition to providing information about the incident, BASF has also asked neighbors to refrain from future flaring activities. “We thank you for your understanding,” said the company’s statement, which assured that everything necessary is being done to stabilize the situation as quickly as possible.
For more detailed information about the flaring activities, residents are invited to visit the BASF website. Here you can basf.com/fackel Read everything you need to know about these special processes.