Wedoany.com Report-Oct. 22, BASF SE (Ludwigshafen, Germany) announced the inauguration of a new neopentyl glycol (NPG) plant at its Verbund site in Zhanjiang, China. The plant has an annual production capacity of 80,000 metric tons, increasing BASF’s global NPG capacity from 255,000 to 335,000 metric tons per year, reinforcing its position as a leading NPG manufacturer. NPG is primarily used in the production of powder coating resins. The first customer delivery from the new plant was made in October.

BASF also introduced NPG with a reduced product carbon footprint (rPCF), named NEOL® Neopentylglycol solution 90% rPCF AP1, produced at the Zhanjiang site. Preliminary assessments show that the carbon footprint of NPG from Zhanjiang is lower than that of NPG produced at BASF’s existing Asian plants. This improvement is attributed to highly efficient production technologies, integration benefits of the Verbund site, the use of lower carbon footprint chemical feedstocks, and 100% renewable electricity.

Michael Becker, Senior Vice President, Intermediates Asia Pacific, BASF, said: “The new NPG plant bolsters our local production footprint by strengthening our speed and responsiveness to increasing customer demand for eco-friendly powder coating resins across Asia Pacific. This represents an important step toward our vision of being the preferred partner for sustainable intermediates.”

Powder coatings, which utilize NPG as a key intermediate, are widely applied in industries including building materials, general industry, home appliances, furniture, automobiles, and 3C products. They are valued for low volatile organic compounds (VOC) emissions, allowing users to comply with VOC regulations while reducing emissions by up to 50% compared to liquid coatings.

Beyond powder coatings, NPG serves in the manufacture of lubricants, plasticizers, and pharmaceuticals, including ibuprofen. The new Zhanjiang plant not only strengthens BASF’s production capacity in Asia but also advances its sustainability goals by providing lower-carbon intermediates to support greener industrial and consumer applications.

The plant is part of BASF’s broader strategy to enhance local supply, increase production efficiency, and provide sustainable solutions in line with growing environmental awareness and regulatory requirements. With the Zhanjiang facility, BASF reinforces its commitment to combining high-performance chemical production with eco-friendly practices, delivering reliable and innovative products to its customers across Asia Pacific and beyond.

This expansion positions BASF to respond promptly to rising regional demand for sustainable powder coating resins and related applications, further establishing its role as a preferred partner for both high-quality and environmentally responsible chemical intermediates.