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.This device, known as the “world's largest single TPU production line”, was officially put into operation. It is not only a key step in Basf's 10 billion euro investment layout in China, but also allows South China to directly become the core hub of the global beauty and personal care materials supply chain. hub.
I. Production line leads efficiency innovation
BASF Zhanjiang base has a total investment of 10 billion euros and will promote construction in stages. This TPU unit belongs to the characteristic materials sector and forms an upstream and downstream supporting relationship with the 500,000-ton polyethylene unit and the 1 million-ton ethylene joint unit that have been put into operation in December 2025.The main raw materials PTMEG and MDI required for TPU production are directly transported from the next-door device through the pipe corridor in the park. There is no need to ship out at all, and the comprehensive logistics cost can be reduced by about 8%.
Dr. Martin Jung, president of Basf's global characteristic Materials business unit, mentioned 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 the rapidly developing segments of 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 response time of the supply chain, and provide stronger material support for the development of manufacturing in the region.
It is worth noting that when this TPU production line was put into operation, it just caught up 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, will be 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 emissions, 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 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 emulsifier, 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 production of the Zhanjiang production line more suitable for market demand.
II. Application empowers multi-industry development
As a multifunctional material with both high strength, flexibility and wear resistance, TPU has 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 also has many highlights.TPU can be seen in a variety of popular products on the Douyin platform: facial hot and cold compress water sacs are made of Basf polyether TPU. Relying on the characteristics of hydrolysis resistance and temperature change resistance, they have passed the biocompatibility test. 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 because of its environmental protection, non-toxic, skin-friendly and soft advantages, which can ensure 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 US33.495 billion in 2024, and it is expected to grow to US66.168 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 will consume 187,000 tons of injection-grade TPU in 2023, and it is expected that it will 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 the 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 kind of compounding technology can help the active ingredients be evenly dispersed in the cream, avoid layering in a high temperature environment, and optimize the skin feel of the product, so that the nutrients are more easily absorbed by the skin. It 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 since the beginning. This TPU production line uses 100% renewable energy and electricity, and its carbon footprint is 35% lower than the industry average. It 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 Zhanjiang base has successfully completed the initial stage of construction and is focusing on optimizing the 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 strive to become a benchmark for sustainable chemical production in the world.
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 and environmentally friendly
Emulsifier makeup 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 has gathered 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 the logistics costs and communication costs of enterprises, 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 mostly relied on imports for purchasing high-end TPU materials, with long shipping cycles and easy exposure to fluctuations in international logistics.Now, 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. Small and medium-sized enterprises can achieve “sales-based mining” without stockpiling 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 highlighted 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.
