BASF breaks ground on methylglycol plant in China

BASF targets surge in brake fluid demand across emerging Asia automotive sector. BASF has laid the foundation stone for a methyl glycol (MG) facility at its Verbund site in Zhanjiang, China. The new plant, designed with an annual capacity of 46,000 metric tonnes, aims to meet rapidly rising brake hydraulic fluid demand in the region. The facility is scheduled to commence operations by the end of 2025. The new methyl glycol plant will produce methyl diglycol (MDG), methyl triglycol (MTG) and methyl tetraglycol (MTEG) from methanol and purified ethylene oxide (PEO). Methyl triglycol is recognized as a key raw material for the production of modern brake fluids used in the automotive industry. Bir Darbar Mehta, Senior Vice President, BASF Asia Pacific Petrochemicals, said: "The new facility will be the only methyl glycol plant in China fully backward-integrated into a steam cracker and will serve the rapidly growing brake hydraulic fluid market. Using BASF's unique process technology, the plant will deliver reliable, competitive and high-quality products to meet the needs of our business units and customers." Matthias Lang, Vice President, Fuels and Lubricants Solutions Asia Pacific and Performance Chemicals Greater China Business Management, stated: "As a strong player in automotive fluids, BASF enjoys great reputation for supplying high-performance products and superior services to our valued partners in the brake fluid sector. The capacity increase demonstrates our commitment to the emerging Asia automotive industry, particularly in China where demand for high-quality products continues to grow steadily." Source