JIANGMEN, China – BASF will continue to invest in its coatings site in Jiangmen, Guangdong Province, in South China, by constructing a new facility for automotive refinish coatings that will start production in the first half of 2022.

“Guangdong Province is of strategic importance to BASF in Greater China,” said Zheng Daqing, Senior Vice President, Business and Market Development, BASF Greater China. “The investment in Jiangmen will double the production capacity of the site. Located in the fast-growing area of the Pearl River Delta, the new facility will enable us to be even closer to our customers, further supporting the automotive industry.”

Acquired from a local family business in 2016, BASF Coatings (Guangdong) Co. Ltd. is the company’s first automotive refinish coatings production site in Asia. In the past three years, the site has become a world-class production facility, supported by continuous investments in environment, health and safety, product quality, research and development, and people.

“We have upgraded the production and environmental protection facilities to meet BASF’s world-class standards. At the same time, we have enhanced the skillsets of our employees, with one focus being on environment, health and safety practices. This is how we have built a professional, competitive team and fostered a safe and sustainable corporate culture,” said Patrick Zhao, Senior Vice President, BASF Coatings Solutions Asia Pacific.

The local Environmental Protection Bureau of Jiangmen recognized BASF’s environmental credentials and contributions. The company was named a “Green Brand” in October 2018. BASF was the only company in the chemical sector to achieve this status last year.

After the acquisition, BASF established a technology hub in Jiangmen, focusing on color technology and the development of sustainable high-performance products for the refinish and commercial transportation segments in Asia Pacific.

“We now have the full capability to serve the growing local and regional value-for-money market with strong product and solution offerings,” continued Zhao. For instance, NORBIN^® 66, a new waterborne technology, has helped customers in the value-for-money refinish segment to achieve higher performance and be more environmentally friendly.