BASF Starts Production of Flame-Retardant TPU in Shanghai
Global chemical company BASF has announced that it has begun commercial production of Elastollan® flame retardant (FR) TPU products at its thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) production facility in Shanghai, China. With production starting as of March 2026, the company aims to accelerate supply and application development processes in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly for the cable industry.
Global chemicals company BASF has announced the start of commercial production of Elastollan® flame-retardant (FR) thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) products at its manufacturing facility in Shanghai, China. With production starting from March 2026, the company aims to accelerate supply and application development processes in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly for the cable industry.
Local production support for Asia-Pacific cable sector
The new production capability at the Shanghai TPU facility is considered an important step in expanding the flame-retardant solutions portfolio. Following the localization of the halogen-free flame-retardant (FHF) TPU series in 2023, BASF is now bringing the FR series into local production, enabling it to offer a more comprehensive product portfolio to regional customers.
Through this, BASF aims to provide higher-performance solutions for cable sector applications, particularly in industrial automation, robotic systems and electric vehicle (EV) charging cables. Local production is intended to enable faster responses to customers' technical requirements and streamline compliance with regional regulations.
"We will respond faster to the regional market"
Rohit Roop Ghosh, Vice President of TPU Business Management for BASF Performance Materials Asia-Pacific, commented on the matter as follows:
"Local production of FR products that combine superior flame-retardant performance with strong mechanical properties enables us to respond much faster to the technical requirements of the regional market. This step will strengthen our competitive position not only in cable applications, but also in specialized tubes, hoses and belt sectors."
Broad application areas
BASF's new FR TPU production will be used particularly in the following application areas:
-Industrial automation systems
-Robotic applications
-Electric vehicle charging cables
-Specialized tube and hose manufacturing
-Industrial belt applications
About BASF
Headquartered in Germany, BASF is one of the world's leading companies developing sustainable solutions in the chemicals sector. The company's portfolio comprises Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions and Nutrition & Care as main business areas, as well as Surface Technologies and Agricultural Solutions segments.
BASF generated sales revenue of EUR 65.3 billion in 2024 while operating with approximately 112,000 employees worldwide.
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