BASF Aroma Ingredients achieves Mechanical Completion for all 3 new plants

In this final quarter of 2025, the Aroma Ingredients team celebrated a crucial milestone – The mechanical completion of all three new plants that are part of the latest BASF Verbund investment in Zhanjiang, China. This includes the citral plant in Zhanjiang, menthol and linalool plants in Ludwigshafen, Germany. 

Mechanical completion marks the full handover of the plants to BASF Operations teams, indicating that construction, engineering, installation of equipment etc. has been completed, a key achievement in our project timeline. Start-up preparations are now in full swing.

“This massive project truly shows what our teamwork and resilience can accomplish. I wholeheartedly thank and congratulate everyone involved for this amazing achievement – It has been an impressive journey, and this is only the beginning,” remarked Steffen Goetz, Senior Vice President, Aroma Ingredients. “With this milestone, we are on track to establish the broadest global asset footprint in the industry and are poised to serve the fast-growing demand of our customers. Our full focus is on a safe and reliable start- and ramp-up.” 

“Having now seen all the plants in their full size and complexity after an enduring design and construction phase, I feel proud and honored to work with teams that have truly demonstrated their capabilities at their best,” commented Bernd Bartenbach, Head of Technology, Nutrition & Health. “Overcoming every challenge and meeting all project targets flawlessly is a remarkable example of our winning culture.” 

With this, we are on track for start-up in 2026, poised to support our customers on their sustainable growth path and win against competition.