BASF is celebrating 20 years of manufacturing ester base stocks at its Jinshan site in Shanghai. This milestone strengthens its role as a top global supplier of synthetic esters for refrigeration lubricants. As a vital part of BASF’s production network, the Jinshan facility remains a primary hub for supporting customers across Asia Pacific and the globe.

To meet rising demand for reliable cooling, BASF doubled Jinshan site production capacity three years ago. Growth is driven by developing markets, where urbanization, rising incomes, and population density fuel demand for efficient, affordable cooling solutions.

Cooling systems rely on compressors that circulate refrigerants under varying pressures and temperatures. Their efficiency and reliability depend on high-performance refrigeration oils that are precisely matched to the refrigerant.

Built on BASF’s SYNATIVE ester base stocks, these oils offer superior thermal and oxidative stability, excellent lubricity, and low volatility. Their high compatibility with modern refrigerants boosts energy efficiency and extends the overall lifespan of the system.

In addition to refrigeration applications, the demand for synthetic esters is increasing in industrial applications like biohydraulic fluids, in liquid cooling of data centers, where digitalization and AI require advanced thermal management, and in electric mobility, where effective cooling and optimal lubricity are essential for e-driveline performance.

Innovation Campus enables fast product development

The Jinshan site works hand-in-hand with BASF’s global Innovation Campus in Shanghai, accelerating customer co-development and market entry. By merging local production with global R&D and the Synative® portfolio, BASF delivers next-generation lubricant and cooling solutions.

“As the demand for synthetic esters continues to grow in Asia Pacific and globally, our strong comittment and close customer partnerships are key,” said Dr. Tanja Rost, Vice President Lubricant Components at BASF. “Our leadership in synthetic ester base stocks, our strong R&D capabilties and local presence in China enable us to help customers develop next-generation refrigeration, lubricant and cooling solutions that adress current and future regulatory and market requirements.”

Next-generation synthetic esters for a low carbon footprint

BASF's SYNATIVE ester portfolio provides a versatile range of fully saturated and unsaturated solutions derived from both renewable and petrochemical feedstocks. Engineered for environmental sensitivity, these products offer high biodegradability and low toxicity, complying with strict ecolabel standards, while featuring up to 90% renewable content. Additionally, BASF enables lower carbon footprints through its biomass balance approach, allowing for tailored CO2-reduction claims.