BASF inaugurates thermoplastic elastomers plant in China

Zhanjiang, China – BASF has inaugurated a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) factory at its Zhanjiang Verbund integrated production site in China.

The ‘smart factory’ is BASF’s largest single TPU production line, and features advanced technologies such as automated guided vehicles and advanced automation systems, said BASF in a recent statement.

The plant will enable the German chemicals group to meet the growing market demand for TPUs in Asia Pacific, particularly in the industrial, e-mobility and new energy segments.

Furthermore, the unit will bring BASF closer to key customer industries in China and Asia Pacific, said Dr Martin Jung, president, performance materials, BASF.

The plant will strengthen the supply recyclable Elastollan TPU solutions in Asia, Jung added.

BASF announced plans to add the TPU production plant at the currently under construction $10bn (€9bn) Zhanjiang integrated petrochemical complex in 2019.

At the time, the German chemicals major said the facility would go on-stream by 2022, along with another manufacturing plant for engineering plastics, which was commissioned on schedule.

BASF expects the polymer materials to be supplied to segments such electronics, consumer products and automotive.

The company release did not offer a production capacity for the TPU plant.