BASF Shanghai Coatings Co., Ltd. broke ground on a new, world-scale automotive coatings plant at the company's existing site at the Shanghai Chemical Industry Park in Caojing, Shanghai, China. The new plant represents an investment of around €140 million and is expected to start operation in the fourth quarter of 2017.

As the latest investment of the joint venture between BASF and Shanghai Huayi Fine Chemical Co., Ltd, the new plant is an expansion of the automotive coatings plant, which began production in 2014 at the same site.

"With the expansion, we continue to invest in local production to get even closer to China's automotive industry," said Dr. Stephan Kothrade, President and Chairman Greater China, BASF. "As the leading chemical supplier to the automotive industry, BASF will take an active role in developing this rapidly growing business, based on our local production network, innovative power and market knowledge."

"Our automotive OEM customers in China are increasingly looking for innovative, eco-efficient coatings solutions to drive sustainability in their processes. Adding world-class manufacturing and R&D capabilities in the country is our contribution to the rapidly evolving expectations of the automotive industry," said Dr. Markus Kamieth, President, Coatings Solutions, BASF. "This new investment in China is another example of our ongoing growth strategy in this region and in our automotive coatings business."

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