BASF enhances coatings performance market with localized production of high-end CFRP dispersants in Nanjing, China

Today, BASF officially launched its new high-performance dispersant production line in Nanjing, China. Lu Weidong (fifth from the left), Member of the Standing Committee of CPC Nanjing Municipal Committee, Secretary of the CPC Working Committee of Nanjing Jiangbei New Area, Tao Lei (third from the right), Member of the CPC Working Committee of Nanjing Jiangbei New Area and Vice Director of Administration Committee of Nanjing Jiangbei New Area, Dr. Stephan Kothrade (sixth from the left), Member of the Board of Executive Directors and Chief Technology Officer, BASF SE, Dr. Jeffrey Lou (fourth from the right), President and Chairman of BASF Greater China, joined with government officials and BASF executives at the commissioning ceremony.
Photo: BASF

(IN BRIEF) BASF has begun commercial operation of a new dispersants production line at its Nanjing site, enabling domestic manufacturing of high-performance CFRP-based dispersants used in advanced coatings, inks and composite applications. The investment increases global capacity in coordination with BASF’s Heerenveen facility, improving supply reliability and formulation flexibility for customers—particularly across the automotive and industrial coatings sectors. Executives including Dr. Stephan Kothrade, Gops Pillay and Sylvain Huguenard emphasized the importance of the expansion for sustainable growth, product performance leadership and BASF’s competitive advantage in CFRP technology. The project also aligns with BASF’s long-standing commitment to innovation in China, where the company marks 140 years of activity. CFRP dispersants support enhanced color performance, improved pigment stability and broader formulation capability, and the new line strengthens BASF’s role in the high-end coatings value chain.

(PRESS RELEASE) LUDWIGSHAFEN, 26-Nov-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — BASF has launched production at its newly commissioned high-performance dispersants facility in the Jiangbei New Material Technology Park in Nanjing, China — a strategic expansion that introduces local manufacturing of dispersants based on advanced Controlled Free Radical Polymerization (CFRP) technology. With output now supported by both Nanjing and the company’s Heerenveen site in the Netherlands, BASF is strengthening its global supply network with increased flexibility, localized availability and improved production resilience for customers across key industries.

Attending the commissioning ceremony, Dr. Stephan Kothrade, member of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE and Chief Technology Officer, highlighted the importance of the new plant for rapidly expanding regional markets. “This new line will secure stable local supply for fast-growing end-use segments such as automotive and industrial coatings. With our CFRP dispersant technology and state-of-the-art processes, we are advancing the green transformation of our Asian customer base by delivering lower-PCF materials that support sustainability goals,” he said.

Gops Pillay, President of BASF’s Global Operating Division, underscored the value of dual-location production, noting that supply coming jointly from China and Europe creates meaningful responsiveness and scalability. “Our business thrives through close customer partnerships. By expanding CFRP manufacturing in Nanjing alongside Heerenveen, we are better positioned to respond quickly to market shifts while offering increased formulation flexibility for our partners,” he stated.

Vice President of Global Additives Business Management Sylvain Huguenard added that on-site CFRP capability elevates BASF’s competitive positioning in dispersant technology. “Bringing CFRP to Nanjing strengthens our portfolio leadership. With cutting-edge dispersant solutions, we enable customers to push performance boundaries across high-end applications,” he said.

BASF Nanjing site
Photo: BASF

The Nanjing plant has been a core specialty chemicals production hub for BASF in Asia-Pacific since 2007. Its latest expansion enhances BASF’s innovation role in the region and aligns with the company’s strategic focus on supporting sustainable growth. The milestone coincides with BASF’s 140th year in China.

High-performance dispersants produced through CFRP are critical for coatings, inks and composite systems, improving pigment wetting, color development, dispersion efficiency and long-term formulation stability. The technology enables broader color spaces and superior uniformity, making it well suited for premium and next-generation performance coatings.

BASF’s Dispersions & Resins division

The Dispersions & Resins division of BASF develops, produces and markets a range of high-quality polymer dispersions, resins, additives and electronic materials worldwide. These raw materials are used in formulations for several industries, including coatings, construction, adhesives, printing and packaging, electronics and paper. With its comprehensive product portfolio and extensive knowledge of the industry, the Dispersions & Resins division offers its customers innovative and sustainable solutions and helps them advance their formulations. For further information about the Dispersions & Resins division, please visit www.dispersions-resins.basf.com.

About BASF

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. Our ambition: We want to be the preferred chemical company to enable our customers’ green transformation. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Around 112,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio comprises, as core businesses, the segments Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, and Nutrition & Care; our standalone businesses are bundled in the segments Surface Technologies and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €65.3 billion in 2024. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the United States. Further information at www.basf.com

Media contact:

Isaac Lee Mathew
+6012 291 9796
isaac-lee.mathew@basf.com

SOURCE: BASF SE