In January 2024, on the coast of the South China Sea in Zhanjiang, western Guangdong, a simple but grand inauguration ceremony in the BASF integrated base quietly changed the industrial pattern of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) in the Asia-Pacific region.
I.Production line leads efficiency
BASF Zhanjiang base has a total investment of 10 billion euros and will be built in stages. The TPU plant belongs to the characteristic materials sector and is upstream and downstream from the 500,000-ton polyethylene plant and the 1 million-ton ethylene joint plant that have been put into operation in December 2025.The main raw materials PTMEG and MDI required for TPU can be shipped directly from the next-door installation through the park pipe corridor, and the comprehensive logistics cost is reduced by about 8%.。
The relevant person in charge of Basf's global characteristic materials business unit said that the core goal of this new production line is to meet the growing demand for TPU in the Asia-Pacific region, especially focusing on fast-growing segments such as industry and new energy vehicles.Relying on the synergistic advantages of the Zhanjiang integrated Base, the production line can more efficiently connect customers in the Chinese and Southeast Asian markets, shorten the supply chain response cycle, and provide stronger material support for the development of manufacturing in the region.
It is worth noting that the commissioning of this TPU production line coincides with the key node of the construction of the Zhanjiang integrated base.The 1 million-ton ethylene joint plant, which is the core of the base, was successfully put into operation in January 2026. It can provide stable raw materials for basic chemicals such as ethylene and propylene for TPU production, forming a complete industrial closed loop from upstream raw materials to downstream finished products.This integrated production model can not only reduce logistics costs and carbon footprint, but also ensure the stability of raw material supply and resist the risks caused by fluctuations in the global supply chain.
In the field of beauty and personal care, the application innovation of TPU materials is being deeply integrated with formula technology.As a commonly used raw material in makeup and skin care products, oil in water emulsion and its composite application with TPU film have become the research and development direction of high-end sunscreen and base makeup products.The waterproof and breathable characteristics of TPU, combined with the uniform dispersion ability of oil-in-water emulsifiers, can allow the product to maintain a refreshing skin feeling while improving the durability of the protective layer. The rise of this material combination has made the Zhanjiang production line more market-oriented.
II.Application empowers multiple industries
As a multifunctional material with both high strength, flexibility and wear resistance, TPU's application scenarios have long broken through a single field and penetrated into all aspects of people's production and life.From cable sheaths and battery pack seals for new energy vehicles, to boost midsoles for sports shoes, to catheters and artificial joint components in the medical field, TPU has become a key material for upgrading and upgrading in many industries due to its excellent overall performance.
In the field of beauty, personal care and daily use, the application of TPU is also full of highlights.A variety of popular products on the Douyin platform have demonstrated the unique value of TPU: the facial hot and cold compress water sac is made of Basf polyether TPU, which has passed the biocompatibility test due to its hydrolysis resistance and temperature change resistance. It can be used safely even for sensitive muscles or postoperative populations.In the production of cosmetic puffs, TPU hot melt adhesive film has become an ideal choice for bonding the sponge layer and the leather layer due to the advantages of environmental protection, non-toxic and skin-friendly softness, ensuring that the product fits firmly, is easy to clean and is not easy to glue.These close-to-life application cases allow consumers to intuitively feel the practical value of TPU materials.
Market data show that the global TPU market size has reached US 33.495 billion in 2024, and it is expected to grow to US 66.168 billion by 2031, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.7%.Among them, the Asia-Pacific region accounts for 61% of the world's market share. As the world's largest producer and consumer of TPU, China's consumption of injection-grade TPU has reached 187,000 tons in 2023, and it is expected to exceed 240,000 tons in 2025.Auto parts are the largest application area of TPU, accounting for 35%, while the medical field has become the fastest growing market segment with an annual growth rate of 18.5%.
The versatility of TPU materials is also reflected in its collaborative innovation with other raw materials.In the formulation of skin care products, the combination of
Thickening suspension and TPU microcapsules can effectively improve the stability and use experience of the product.This compound technology can help the active ingredients be evenly dispersed in the cream, avoid stratification in a high temperature environment, and optimize the skin feeling of the product, so that the nutrients are more easily absorbed by the skin, which has become a new trend in formula research and development.
III.Green production becomes the core competitiveness
Sustainable production has become the core competitiveness of chemical companies.Basf Zhanjiang Integrated Base has been planning the concept of green development from the beginning. This TPU production line uses 100% renewable energy electricity, which reduces its carbon footprint by 35% compared to the industry average, and has become a model for sustainable production in the global chemical industry.
In addition to the greening of the production process, the TPU material itself also has good environmental protection properties.Basf is actively building a material recycling system. TPU waste can be recycled into industrial components, and the proportion of renewable raw materials in bio-based TPU products has reached 60%.This concept of environmental protection in the whole life cycle from production to recycling is in line with the current development trend of the global manufacturing industry's transition to low-carbon, and it also meets the urgent needs of downstream brands for environmentally friendly raw materials.
At present, the construction of the Zhanjiang base has successfully completed the initial stage of construction, and it is focusing on the optimized operation of the core equipment.In the future, the base will continue to promote sustainable development initiatives, including further improving energy utilization efficiency and optimizing wastewater treatment processes, and is committed to becoming a global benchmark for sustainable chemical production.
In the research and development of makeup products, the choice of emulsion makeup directly affects the makeup effect, makeup holding time and environmental protection properties of the product.With the growth of consumer demand for gentle and sustainable beauty products, the combination of TPU materials with environmentally friendly makeup emulsifiers has become an important direction to enhance product competitiveness.This combination can not only enhance the adhesion and durability of lip glaze, foundation and other products, but also reduce pigmentation and reduce product irritation to the skin.
IV.Collaborative upgrading of the industrial chain
The commissioning of the Zhanjiang TPU production line is not only the landing of a single device, but also the coordinated upgrading of the entire regional industrial chain.As the core cluster of China's manufacturing industry, South China is home to a large number of production enterprises in the automotive, electronics, beauty and other industries. BASF's presence will form a strong industrial agglomeration effect, attracting upstream and downstream supporting enterprises to layout nearby, and build an efficient and collaborative industrial ecology.
Data show that East and South China concentrate 85% of the country's TPU production capacity, of which the number of TPU modified factories in Guangdong and Jiangsu provinces accounts for 63% of the country's total.The addition of the Zhanjiang base will further improve the layout of the chemical industry chain in South China, make the synergistic effects of raw material supply, product processing, and technology research and development in the region more prominent, reduce enterprise logistics costs and communication costs, and enhance the competitiveness of the entire industrial cluster.
For domestic small and medium-sized enterprises, the commissioning of this production line is a major benefit.In the past, domestic companies relied on imports for purchasing high-end TPU materials, and the shipping cycle was long and greatly affected by fluctuations in international logistics.Today, the annual production capacity of the Zhanjiang base can reach 60,000 tons, which can cover 80% of the TPU demand in South China, and the delivery cycle is shortened to less than 72 hours, allowing small and medium-sized enterprises to achieve “sales-based mining” without having to reserve a large amount of inventory, effectively alleviating capital pressure.
With the commissioning of various units in the Zhanjiang Integrated Base one after another, Basf's R&D and production capacity in the Asia-Pacific region will be further enhanced.Relying on local R&D networks and innovation centers, BASF is accelerating cooperation with customers in the region to promote the customized development of TPU materials to meet the individual needs of different industries.From lightweight components of new energy vehicles to flexible materials for smart wearable devices, from biocompatible products in the medical field to environmentally friendly packaging in the beauty industry, the application boundaries of TPU materials are constantly expanding, and the Zhanjiang base is becoming an important incubation platform for these innovative applications.
From technology research and development in German laboratories to intelligent production on the coast of Zhanjiang, Basf's TPU industrial layout has not only rewritten the material supply chain pattern in the Asia-Pacific region, but also demonstrated the important position of the Chinese market in the global chemical industry.With the in-depth promotion of the concept of sustainable development and the continuous release of industrial chain synergies, this world's largest TPU production line will definitely inject stronger impetus into the upgrading and development of the Asia-Pacific manufacturing industry, and write a new chapter for multinational companies and regional markets to grow together.
Hubei Mingya New Material Technology Co., Ltd.
