BASF SE has begun its first production of diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) at its wholly owned site in Chongqing, China.
Production will be ramped up gradually in line with market demand, the company said in an Aug. 27 announcement.
BASF said the MDI production will support key industries in China's western areas, such as automotive and construction.
When fully operational, the $860 million plant in Chongqing will employ 300 and produce 400,000 tons of MDI annually, BASF said earlier this year.