BASF announced the inauguration of its thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) plant, the largest single TPU production line for BASF globally, at its Zhanjiang Ver-bund site in Zhanjiang, China. BASF is investing up to USD 10-billion in the site, which is being built in several phases. It is expected to be fully operational by 2030. In 2022, BASF started up the first plant at the site producing 60 kta of engineering plastics compounds. The company will now focus on building the core of the Verbund, which involves a steam cracker and several downstream units to produce petrochemicals and intermediates. In addition, BASF plans to power the entire site with 100% renewable electricity by 2025.