BASF Opens New Neopentyl Glycol Plant in Zhanjiang to Boost Global Capacity and Sustainability

BASF’s Intermediates division has inaugurated a new neopentyl glycol (NPG) plant at its Zhanjiang Verbund site in China. With an annual capacity of 80,000 metric tonnes, the new facility boosts BASF’s global NPG production capacity from 255,000 to 335,000 metric tonnes per year, reinforcing its position as one of the world’s leading NPG producers. NPG serves as a key intermediate in the production of powder coating resins, and the first customer deliveries began in October 2025.

BASF has also introduced a reduced product carbon footprint (rPCF) version of NPG, branded as NEOL® Neopentylglycol Solution 90% rPCF AP, produced at its Zhanjiang Verbund site. Initial assessments show that the NPG produced in Zhanjiang has a lower carbon footprint than that from BASF’s other NPG plants in Asia. This reduction is attributed to the site’s advanced production technologies, Verbund integration efficiencies, use of lower-carbon feedstocks, and reliance on 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 are extensively used across industries such as construction materials, general manufacturing, home appliances, furniture, automotive, and 3C products. Owing to their low volatile organic compound (VOC) content, powder coatings help users meet VOC emission standards by reducing VOC release by up to 50% compared to liquid coatings. Beyond coatings, NPG is also used in the production of lubricants, plasticisers, and pharmaceuticals such as ibuprofen.

Source: BASF