On March 26, 2026, BASF officially launched its full operations the Zhanjiang Integrated Base, the largest single investment project in BASF group’s history and a leading chemical facility in China. ABB plays a key role as BASF's main automation partner and was honored with the "Outstanding Equipment Supplier" award recently.
This recognition is a testament to ABB’s expertise, reliable service, and the strong, long-standing partnership that ABB and BASF have built over time, demonstrating how their ongoing collaboration continues to deliver results for both companies.
Tony Fan, Vice President of ABB’s Energy Industries division in China, accepted the award on behalf of the company, noting its significance for ABB and the broader project team. The recognition reflects ABB’s role in delivering integrated automation and digital solutions that supported the project’s execution and long‑term operational objectives. It also highlights the trust placed in ABB as a partner and its continued contribution to advancing automation practices within the chemical industry.
As BASF’s main automation partner, ABB strategically collaborated with BASF throughout every phase of the project, driving innovation and operational excellence from conception to completion. ABB’s delivery of comprehensive, integrated automation solutions not only enabled seamless teamwork across all stakeholders, but also established a robust foundation for high-performance operations. As a result, the site benefitted from improved efficiency, strengthened safety standards, along with more sustainable operations, positioning BASF for long-term competitive advantage in the industry.
ABB deployed its ABB Ability™ System 800xA® distributed control system (DCS) at the Zhanjiang site, to centrally manage 22 production units, setting a new industry benchmark with the implementation of advanced Ethernet-APL technology on a project of this scale and complexity. This transformative initiative not only revolutionized data communication and streamlined management processes but also delivered significant reductions in maintenance costs and directly boosted operational efficiency and reliability.
ABB’s seamless coordination with more than 15 engineering, procurement and construction partners ensured flawless project execution, enabling all milestones to be met on schedule and reinforcing ABB’s role as a catalyst for industry-leading innovation and success.
The strategic partnership between the two companies is built on a mutual vision to drive digital transformation at the Zhanjiang facility. ABB provided advanced automation and digital solutions, such as Manufacturing Execution System (MES), Alarm Management System (AMS), and Operator Training Simulation (OTS), that turn production data into actionable insights for optimized operations and intelligent scheduling. By integrating these systems, ABB supports BASF in achieving more intelligent operations and setting new standards for full autonomous operations in the future for manufacturing excellence.
“Receiving the BASF Outstanding Equipment Supplier award is a significant milestone for ABB. This honor reinforces our unwavering commitment to placing customers at the center of everything we do, leveraging advanced technologies, and delivering robust, intelligent systems that empower our clients,” said Tony Fan, Vice President at ABB’s Energy Industries division. “As we move forward, ABB will continue to elevate our technological capabilities and service excellence, providing industry-leading solutions that enable our customers to thrive and accelerate their digital transformation journeys."
ABB remains dedicated to pioneering innovation and setting new benchmarks for the chemical industry in China. By harnessing the power of advanced automation and digitalization, ABB aims to empower industry leaders like BASF and the wider chemical sector to navigate future challenges and opportunities with confidence. This recognition serves not only as a celebration of past achievements, but also as inspiration to continue driving progress and shaping a more efficient, intelligent and sustainable industrial landscape.
