BASF commissions world-scale menthol and linalool facilities in Ludwigshafen alongside a new citral plant in Zhanjiang

• The expanded menthol and linalool capacities at the Ludwigshafen site benefit from existing Verbund efficiencies, infrastructure, and advanced production technologies.

• BASF expects the new world-scale citral plant in Zhanjiang to enhance its supply reliability while supporting rising demand across local and global markets.

• Commercial production of menthol and linalool commenced in April 2026, generating around 60 new jobs in Ludwigshafen.

BASF’s Aroma Ingredients business unit has officially launched three newly established world-scale production facilities for menthol and linalool in Ludwigshafen, Germany, and citral in Zhanjiang, China. The announcement comes shortly after the inauguration of BASF’s Zhanjiang Verbund site on March 26, 2026. The Ludwigshafen facilities have an investment valued in the triple-digit million-euro range.

The citral plant in Zhanjiang will cater to local demand while also supporting BASF’s expanded downstream production of menthol and linalool in Ludwigshafen. Menthol is widely used as a key mint ingredient in oral care, personal care, confectionery flavourings and pharmaceutical applications. Linalool, known for its lavender-like aroma, is extensively utilised in laundry care products as well as in home care, personal care and fine fragrance formulations.

The new menthol and linalool downstream capacities at the Ludwigshafen Verbund site let BASF use the existing resources, expertise, and advanced production technologies there more efficiently.

Dr. Katja Scharpwinkel, Member of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE, as well as Site Director of Ludwigshafen, said, “These investments underscore the advantages of the Verbund within BASF’s global production network and represent a clear commitment to the Ludwigshafen site.”

By June 2023, the team completed groundbreaking activities for all three construction sites. Since the first quarter of 2026, the citral plant in Zhanjiang and the expanded downstream facilities in Ludwigshafen have been successfully producing in-spec products, which have been commercially available to customers from April 2026 onwards.

BASF’s increased production of high-demand aroma ingredients in the citral value chain is expected to create new opportunities for customers in the fragrance and flavour industry in key growth markets, while also improving the supply reliability of many aroma ingredients and downstream products.

“This investment underlines our strong commitment to growth with our customers in the F&F industry,” said Steffen Goetz, senior vice president, Global Aroma Ingredients. “The large-scale investment projects have been completed safely, on schedule, within the defined scope, and on budget at two Verbund sites across two continents. With the new capacities, we have one of the broadest asset footprints in the industry, allowing us to maintain high levels of supply reliability and security for our customers,” he added.

Source: BASF