BASF Expands Durban Dispersions Plant, Marking 60 Years in South Africa

BASF has inaugurated an expanded dispersions production facility at its Durban site in South Africa, marking another milestone as the company celebrates six decades of operations in the country. The investment significantly boosts the site’s production capacity, allowing BASF to better meet the rising demand for high-quality dispersions used in a range of industries including architectural coatings, construction materials and paper manufacturing.

The expansion is designed to strengthen supply reliability for customers throughout the region. By increasing its manufacturing capability, BASF aims to ensure consistent product availability while supporting the growth strategies of customers that depend on these materials for paints, adhesives and other industrial applications. Dispersions are essential components in modern coatings and construction solutions, helping improve durability, performance and environmental efficiency.

Alongside the production upgrade, BASF has also introduced a state-of-the-art application laboratory at the Durban site. This facility is expected to play a key role in strengthening the company’s technical service capabilities. Through the laboratory, BASF specialists will be able to work more closely with customers to test formulations, develop tailored solutions and accelerate product innovation. The new setup is intended to enable faster collaboration and provide direct support to customers developing next-generation coatings and building materials suited to local market conditions.

The Durban plant holds strategic importance within BASF’s regional manufacturing network. It supplies dispersions to customers across East, West and Southern Africa, helping ensure that industries across the continent have access to reliable and locally supported chemical solutions. Within BASF’s broader EMEA network—covering Europe, the Middle East and Africa—the Durban facility is one of six sites dedicated to dispersions production. This network of manufacturing hubs allows BASF to maintain close proximity to customers while responding quickly to regional demand shifts.

According to Dr. Jörg Niebergall, Senior Vice President for Dispersions Europe at BASF, the expansion reflects the company’s continued commitment to the African market and its customers. He noted that the Durban investment, together with recent projects such as the capacity expansion in Dilovasi, Türkiye, and modernization efforts at the Ludwigshafen facility in Germany, strengthens BASF’s ability to supply high-quality dispersions across the EMEA region. These initiatives also reinforce the company’s position as a leading supplier in the global dispersions market while supporting innovation and growth for its customers.

Local leadership also highlighted the operational improvements brought by the project. Ruveshen Reddy, who oversees the Durban production site, explained that the upgrade included modernization of the facility’s manufacturing infrastructure. A new advanced reactor has been installed to enhance production efficiency and maintain high product quality standards. These improvements are expected to ensure stable operations and dependable supply for customers throughout the region.

The expansion coincides with a major milestone for BASF in South Africa. In 2026, the company celebrates 60 years of presence in the country. Over the decades, BASF has developed strong relationships with customers and industry partners while contributing to the growth of the regional chemical sector. Notably, it remains the only multinational company operating a dedicated dispersions production facility in South Africa, underlining its long-term commitment to the local market.

Through the Durban expansion and continued investment in technology and partnerships, BASF aims to further strengthen its role in supporting industrial development across Africa while maintaining a reliable supply of high-performance dispersions to key sectors.