July 2, 2025 –
BASF Shifts Electronics Materials HQ to Taipei in Strategic Asia Push
In a landmark decision signaling Asia’s growing importance in global electronics, BASF has relocated its Electronic Materials division headquarters to Taipei while appointing industry veteran Jens Liebermann as the new global business head. The move comes as the German chemical giant seeks to strengthen ties with Taiwan’s semiconductor powerhouses like TSMC and UMC.
The company’s SELECTIPUR® and FOTOPUR® product lines have become indispensable for advanced chip manufacturing, particularly in cutting-edge 3D packaging applications. BASF’s electronics materials segment, which posted €1.16 billion revenue last year, now represents the corporation’s fastest-growing business unit.
“Taiwan’s unparalleled semiconductor ecosystem makes it the ideal hub for our electronics materials operations,” Liebermann told AsiaMB. “Our proximity to key customers will accelerate innovation cycles and enhance technical support.”
The relocation coincides with BASF’s display materials breakthrough – the light-alignment technology acquired through its LISEC purchase. This environmentally friendly alternative to conventional rubbing methods is gaining traction among Taiwanese developers of next-gen displays, including E Ink’s large-format e-paper research.
BASF’s century-old carbonyl iron powder technology also stands to benefit from the strategic shift. The specialized metal product serves diverse applications from consumer electronics to aerospace, with the company’s Shanghai technical center providing regional support.
Industry analysts view BASF’s Taipei move as part of a broader trend of materials suppliers localizing near Asia’s electronics manufacturing clusters. “This isn’t just about logistics,” commented Dr. Mei-Ling Chen of Taiwan Semiconductor Research Institute. “It reflects how material innovation must now keep pace with the breakneck speed of Asian electronics development.”
The headquarters transition is expected to be completed by Q1 2026, with BASF planning to expand its Taiwanese workforce by 30% across R&D, technical service, and manufacturing roles.