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BASF starts production of first products at its new Verbund site in Zhanjiang
BASF has started producing the first products at its new Verbund site in Zhanjiang, South China. The facility marks the company’s largest single investment project to date and is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2025.
BASF has begun production of the first products at its Zhanjiang Verbund site in South China in November 2025, marking a major milestone in the company’s largest single investment project to date.
“The exceptional progress at our Zhanjiang site underlines our ‘local for local’ production strategy,” said Dr. Markus Kamieth, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE, during an event with customers and partners. “In the medium to long term, Zhanjiang will play a key role in strengthening BASF’s core businesses and driving sustainable growth in key markets.”
Expanding capacity for the Asia-Pacific region
With several plants for basic chemicals now operational, BASF can better meet the rapidly growing market demand in China and the wider Asia-Pacific region.
“The remarkable achievement of our team demonstrates the successful execution of BASF’s strategy: we are strengthening our presence in Asia and supporting our customers on their path toward sustainability,” said Dr. Stephan Kothrade, member of the Board of Executive Directors and Chief Technology Officer, responsible for the Asia-Pacific region.
Focus on technology and sustainability
Haryono Lim, President, Mega Projects Asia, added: “Equipped with state-of-the-art technologies and the highest safety standards, our Zhanjiang Verbund site is strategically positioned to supply high-quality chemical products with a lower carbon footprint to rapidly growing markets. The successful start of production provides a solid foundation for the site’s full start-up by the end of 2025.”
Announced in July 2018, the Zhanjiang Verbund site is operated solely by BASF. Construction of the first plants began in 2020, and in July 2022 BASF made the final investment decision for the main phase, which includes a steam cracker with a capacity of 1 million tonnes of ethylene per year and several downstream plants for petrochemicals and intermediates.
On schedule and under budget
According to the Capital Market Update (October 2025), construction is on schedule and under budget, with total investments of around EUR 8.7 billion.
