Steam cracker II, the largest individual plant at BASF's Ludwigshafen site, covers a surface area of about 64,000 square meters, which is about the size of 13 soccer fields. The steam cracker is also the heart of BASF's Verbund production strategy. This giant plant has been operating since 1981 and uses steam to crack naphtha at about 850°C [1,562°F]. This process leads primarily to ethylene and propylene, both indispensable feedstocks for manufacturing numerous products in Ludwigshafen.

BASF

in Greater China 2023

Innovation

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Business Development

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The BASF Group

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BASF publishes its integrated annual report in Greater China for 16 consecutive years. In 2023, BASF posted sales of approximately €9.4 billion to customers in Greater China.  BASF further expanded local production capacity, enhanced R&D capabilities, provided sustainable development solutions for customers in multiple industries, and continued to contribute to economic, environmental, and social achievements in Greater China.

Welcome letter from the President

“ We are also looking beyond the present: By expanding our local production footprint, strengthening our R&D capabilities, and relentlessly striving for climate neutrality, we stay ahead of the curve alongside future industries and growth markets.”

- Dr. Jeffrey Lou, President and Chairman Greater China, BASF

Discover our stories

Welcome letter from the President

“We are taking a firm stance to reinforce our position in Greater China, the largest chemical market in the world. We are also looking beyond the present by expanding our local production footprint, strengthening R&D capabilities, and spearheading sustainability efforts in China.”

- Dr. Jeffrey Lou, President and Chairman Greater China, BASF

Urea (CH4N2O) is an organic compound of carbon dioxide (CO2) and ammonia (NH3). In 1968, the urea plant as it is known today was built. Urea is a versatile raw material and important monomer in the chemical industry. It is needed in large quantities worldwide, for example for the production of nitrogen fertilizer, for the exhaust gas purifier AdBlue®, for resins, adhesives and much more. The 61-meter Prill tower, which is clearly visible from afar, is part of the urea plant built at the Ludwigshafen site in 1968. In it, crystalline urea is converted into spherical granules.
BASF Group at a glance

•  Achieved sales of €68.9 billion

  111,991 employees worldwide

•  6 Verbund sites,  234 production sites worldwide

Dr. Vijay Swaminathan (center), Organic Synthetic Lab, BASF India, discusses ongoing research projects with his colleagues Manoojkumar Poonoth (left) and Nitin Gupte (right), both chemists. The researchers are working on agricultural solutions, solutions for the energy and leather industry and specialty chemicals. They also synthesize intermediates for industrial applications.
BASF in Asia Pacific

•  Present in 19 markets

•  Sales: around €17.5 billion

•  Verbund sites, 70 production sites

•  2 Innovation Campuses

Our Strategy
Chemistry is our passion. We make use of this passion for our customers: We want to offer them the best possible solutions and help them achieve their sustainability goals.
BASF in Greater China at a Glance
BASF has been a committed partner to Greater China since 1885. BASF is a major foreign investor in the country’s chemical industry, and operates the Innovation Campus Shanghai, BASF’s largest R&D site in Asia. 

BASF at Greater China at a glance

BASF currently operates 27 major wholly-owned subsidiaries, 11 major joint ventures, and maintains 25 sales offices in Greater China. BASF’s business in Greater China includes Petrochemicals, Intermediates, Performance Materials, Monomers, Dispersions & Resins, Performance Chemicals, Catalysts, Coatings, Care Chemicals, Nutrition & Health, and Agricultural Solutions.

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