BASF’s New Plant Meets Brake Fluid Demand

Sign up for our weekly email to stay on top of the latest news and insights!

BASF has initiated construction of a new methyl glycols (MG) plant at its Zhanjiang Verbund site in China, marking a significant step to cater to the burgeoning demand for modern brake fluids in the automotive sector of the region. Set to be the first of its kind in China with full backward integration into a steam cracker, this world-scale facility underscores BASF’s commitment to supporting the fast-paced growth of the automotive industry, particularly in China. With an expected operational start in 2025, the plant is poised to enhance BASF’s production capabilities significantly.

Key Highlights:

• First fully integrated MG plant in China, optimizing supply for brake fluid demand.
• Scheduled start-up in 2025 with a capacity of 46,000 metric tons annually.
• Production includes MDG, MTG, and MTEG, crucial for modern automotive brake fluids.
• Demonstrates BASF’s commitment to quality and innovation in the automotive fluids market.

Bir Darbar Mehta, Senior Vice President, Petrochemicals Asia Pacific at BASF, emphasized the plant’s unique position in the market, “The new facility will be the only fully backward integrated methyl glycols plant into a steam cracker in China, serving the fast-growing brake fluids market.” He highlighted BASF’s proprietary process technology that ensures the production of competitive and high-quality products.

Matthias Lang, Vice President at BASF, also noted the significance of this expansion, “The capacity expansion demonstrates our commitment to the emerging Asian automotive industry, especially in China, where the demand for high-quality products is continuously increasing.”

This venture not only aims to bolster BASF’s production efficiency but also strengthens its foothold in the Asian market, specifically catering to the automotive industry’s needs. The plant is an essential addition to BASF’s global network, underscoring its leadership in the petrochemical sector and its drive towards sustainable, high-quality chemical production.

About BASF: A global leader in the chemical industry, BASF is committed to merging economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility, employing around 112,000 people worldwide and generating sales of €68.9 billion in 2023. For more information, visit www.basf.com.