Schütz begins construction of EUR 40m IBC plant at BASF's Ludwigshafen site

Schütz has started construction of a EUR 40m intermediate bulk container production and logistics facility on BASF's Ludwigshafen chemical complex, breaking ground on 14 September 2026. The 20,000 sqm site will digitally automate IBC manufacturing and delivery to secure long-term industrial packaging supply for BASF and regional customers, with commissioning planned for summer 2027.

Why this mattersThe deal deepens supplier integration between an IBC maker and a major chemicals producer, a model that could extend automated, on-site packaging logistics elsewhere in the sector.

• Investment of EUR 40m for a new IBC production and logistics facility.
• Site covers 20,000 sqm within BASF's Ludwigshafen Chemical Complex.
• Groundbreaking ceremony held on 14 September 2026.
• Facility expected to create 60 jobs initially, rising to up to 100 through expansion phases.
• Estimated annual reduction of 1.5 million truck kilometres through automated logistics.
• Commissioning planned for summer 2027.
• The plant is designed to shorten supply routes for liquid raw materials and intermediates to chemical producers on BASF's Ludwigshafen site.
• The plant concept includes expanded reuse, reconditioning and recycling of used IBCs alongside a digitalised warehouse.
• Schütz operates more than 70 production sites globally supplying IBCs to BASF plants worldwide.
• The Schütz-BASF relationship dates to the 1960s; Udo Schütz developed the first IBC with BASF in 1975.