BASF has started production of the first products from the core of the Verbund at its Zhanjiang Verbund site in South China, reaching an important milestone in the company’s largest single investment project to date. BASF began construction of the first plants in 2020; the entire site is expected to be operational by the end of 2025.

As announced in 2018, the BASF Zhanjiang Verbund site will be operated under the sole responsibility of BASF. The new capacities include a steam cracker with a capacity of 1 million metric tons of ethylene per year and several downstream plants for the production of petrochemicals, intermediates, and other products.

Construction is on schedule and below budget, with total investment expected to be around €8.7 billion. According to the company, the Zhanjiang Verbund site is strategically well positioned to supply fast-growing markets with high-quality, low-carbon chemical products thanks to the use of state-of-the-art technologies and the application of the highest safety standards. 

Photo: BASF´s Verbundsite Zhanjiang/South China. © BASF

• BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany