BASF to expand systems capacity in Guangzhou

BASF plans to increase capacity for systems and other polyurethane materials at its factory in Guangzhou.

According to the latest environmental impact notice released in December, the factory is located in the city's Nansha Economic and Technological Development Zone. The filing notes the current facilities include:

• Four polyol systems lines with 14,000 metric tons of annual capacity;
• Four isocyanate systems lines with 13,000 tons of annual capacity;
• Three polyester polyol lines with 18,000 tons of annual capacity; 
• Two PU block lines with 3 million units of annual capacity.

The German company plans to upgrade existing facilities, optimize production process and increase utilization, according to the filing.

With the upgrades, the facility will have annual capacities of 23,000 tons for polyols; 22,000 tons for isocyanate; 25,000 tons of polyester polyols; and 9 million units of PU buffer blocks.

In total, the German company expects to invest $300,000 for the upgrades, and plans to add 40 employees to the current staff headcount of 118.

The Guangzhou site also comprises the company's Asia Footwear Technical Center and a plant for its PU elastomer line Cellasto.