The 2026 Global Investment Promotion Conference for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) was held in Guangzhou on November 3. At the conference, Marko Murtonen, Senior Vice President of BASF and General Manager of BASF's Zhanjiang Verbund Site, outlined the company's long-term vision for the region.
Murtonen described the Zhanjiang Verbund site, with an investment of 8.7 billion euros, as the largest single one-time investment in BASF's history. The project was completed safely, on time and under budget, reflecting strong collaboration with local partners and authorities.
Murtonen said BASF chose the GBA for its dynamic, growing environment, adding that upcoming events such as the APEC meeting give the company a platform to gain a strategic view of the region. Looking ahead, he predicted that 70 percent of the chemical industry will be in the Asia-Pacific region by 2030, with China playing a major role. BASF is also focusing on digitalization, smart manufacturing and support for the local green transformation. "We are going to grow here, stay here for the long term, make the GBA even stronger, and grow together," he said.
Reporter｜Xie Maishi
Video｜Deng Yingheng
Poster｜Deng Yingheng
Photo｜Deng Yingheng
