BASF expands Durban facility to support regional growth in coatings
This positions the Durban site, one of six in BASF’s EMEA network, as a key hub for regional responsiveness.
SOUTH AFRICA – BASF has significantly expanded its dispersion production capacity at its Durban, South Africa, facility, enhancing supply reliability for high-quality dispersions across East, West, and Southern Africa.
The upgrade includes modernized production facilities and a cutting-edge reactor, boosting output for dispersions used in architectural coatings, construction materials, and paper applications.
A new on-site application laboratory supports advanced technical services, formulation development, and closer customer collaboration.
The investment aligns with recent expansions in Dilovasi, Türkiye, and Ludwigshafen, Germany, strengthening BASF’s leadership in EMEA dispersions.
It coincides with BASF’s 60-year milestone in South Africa, where it remains the only multinational with a dedicated dispersions plant and holds a Level 1 B-BBEE rating.
Dr. Jörg Niebergall, Senior Vice President of Dispersions Europe, emphasized commitment to African growth, stating, “Our investment in Durban underscores our strong commitment to the dynamic African region and our local customers.”
The expansion strengthens supply for architectural coatings, construction materials, and the paper industry, while also supporting sustainability goals through water-based dispersions.
Meanwhile, BASF appointed Wojciech Kulma as the new Managing Director for its South Africa operations in October last year.
In his new position, Kulma will oversee BASF’s operations, prioritizing customer-centric innovation, sustainable solutions tailored to local needs, and community impact.
Kulma brings over 25 years of global leadership within BASF, with senior roles in sales, business management, finance, strategy, and transformation across Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and beyond.
In addition, the expansion is expected to generate new employment opportunities for local communities.
In other news, late last year, BASF South Africa became the first chemical company in the nation to attain Level 1 Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) status, pioneering transformation via black women ownership, skills training, and supplier support.
This top-tier rating reflects BASF’s long-term dedication to genuine economic inclusion, responsible business practices, and fostering shared prosperity in South Africa.
The milestone builds on milestones such as the inaugural B-BBEE audit in 2009 and the 30% black women ownership introduced in 2017 through the BASF South Africa Trust.
BASF invests in talent pipelines through bursaries, technical courses, leadership training, and a graduate program that prepares South Africans for science and engineering roles.
For 2025/26, initiatives include 15 graduates, 12 learners with disabilities, seven production interns, 11 apprentices, and eight employee-child bursary holders.
The BASF South Africa Trust supports over 60 black female students in STEM fields, such as chemistry and engineering, promoting gender parity and advancing the careers of underprivileged talent.
The supplier program bolsters black- and women-owned enterprises via training, technical aid, and procurement access, spurring inclusive economic progress.
Customers gain from enhanced B-BBEE credits, with 135% of BASF procurement spend applying to their scorecards.
Community work emphasizes STEM education, food security, youth empowerment, environmental care, and partnerships for sustained social benefits.
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