News Releases

BASF’s Aroma Ingredients business unit today announced the official launch of three newly built world-scale plants – menthol and linalool in Ludwigshafen, Germany, and citral in Zhanjiang, China. This announcement follows the inauguration ceremony of BASF’s Zhanjiang Verbund site held on March 26, 2026. In Ludwigshafen, the investment is in the triple-digit million-euro range.

BASF is strengthening its presence in China and across Asia by advancing #OurPlasticsJourney with customers and partners, focusing on performance‑led innovation and co‑creation in fast‑growing sectors such as eMobility, robotics, footwear, and advanced consumer and industrial applications. Drawing on its materials expertise, backend integration and strong local manufacturing capabilities, BASF supports customers’ green transformation while expanding into next‑generation applications that will enable new quality productive forces through high‑tech automation and green energy.

BASF is expanding its portfolio of certified biomass-balanced polyarylethersulfones with Ultrason® P 3010 BMB, a polyphenylsulfone (PPSU) with 20% attributed bio-circular feedstock. Ultrason® P 3010 BMB enables customers across industries like household and catering, water and sanitary, medical technology, hydrogen production and E&E to increase the use of renewable resources and accelerate their transition toward a more circular economy.

BASF today (March 26, 2026) celebrated the official inauguration of its newly built, world-scale Verbund site in Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province in southern China. Covering an area of around four square kilometers, it is more than a major BASF project in the chemical growth market of China. “Zhanjiang shows what the future of chemistry looks like: efficient, digital and sustainable by design. The site showcases a smart integrated Verbund structure on an industrial scale,” said Dr. Markus Kamieth, CEO of BASF, at the ceremony attended by representatives from government, customers, business partners and employees. 

At CHINAPLAS 2026, BASF will unveil Elastollan^® GripTec, a new innovative thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) portfolio designed for the sports footwear industry, unlocking new possibilities for outsole design and manufacturing. The new Elastollan GripTec series combines exceptional grip, durability, design flexibility and sustainability, and is designed for running and hiking enthusiasts, as well as lifestyle fashion and kidswear applications.