BASF Agricultural Center Limburgerhof
The BASF Limburgerhof agricultural center in front Palatine City Limburgerhof (near Ludwigshafen ) is the headquarters of BASF -Research for crop protection and control center for the activities in plant biotechnology. In addition, new types of fertilizers are being developed in Limburgerhof.
history
The BASF Agricultural Center Limburgerhof was founded in 1914 by the chemist and industrialist Carl Bosch . The experimental work began in the spring of 1914 with four employees; in 2010 there are 1,500 employees.
At that time, BASF began researching ammonia synthesis , which is also important for the armaments industry , and which was associated with the development of the Haber-Bosch process . In 1913 the first ammonia synthesis plant went into operation in Oppau . At the same time, the production of fertilizers was started. As a result, the Limburgerhof agricultural center was opened in 1914, which marked the beginning of industrial agrochemicals in Germany.
Concerning the building structures to be built, they consulted with Privy Councilor Paul Wagner , the director of the Agricultural Research Station Darmstadt , the recognized expert for container and field tests. The building was a one-story, elongated half-timbered building, which was later expanded several times. There was also a glass-covered vegetation hall and a wire hall to protect against sparrows. Connections to electricity, gas and water were only available in 1917.
Between the two world wars, BASF developed several important nitrogen-containing compounds and complete fertilizer types:
- 1915: Ammonium nitrate
- 1919: Ammonium sulphate nitrate
- 1924: urea
- 1927: Nitrophoska complete fertilizer
- 1928: Calcium ammonium nitrate
After the Second World War, the continued existence of the experimental station was called into question. The occupying powers wanted to dismantle all nitrogen factories on German soil, because saltpeter can be used to produce not only fertilizer, but also gunpowder and other explosives .
Genetically modified plants
In the area of the plant previously operated by BASF Plant Science , genetically modified potatoes and maize are grown in collaboration with Monsanto .
In 2012, however, the focus of research was moved to the Research Triangle Park in North Carolina due to the regulation of green genetic engineering in Europe .
literature
- Oskar Flieg (Red.): The Limburgerhof Agricultural Research Station 1914–1964. Badische Anilin- und Soda-Fabrik AG, Agricultural Department, Ludwigshafen a. Rh. 1965. (Festschrift)
- Herbert Lörch: 1899–1999. 100 years of BASF in Limburgerhof. A contribution to the history of Limburgerhof. Historical Association of the Palatinate / Limburgerhof local group, Limburgerhof 1999