Key facts
- A toxic gas leak occurred at BASF's Shanghai Polyurethane Co. Ltd. facility on Wednesday morning.
- The leak was caused by equipment failure at a wastewater-treatment facility.
- Nitrogen oxides were released into the air, causing yellow-brown smoke to spread.
- The incident was contained within one to two hours.
- The leak had minimal impact on employees and the environment.
- Production at the affected facility was temporarily halted.
A toxic gas leak at a major Shanghai chemical plant operated by German chemicals giant BASF SE prompted a temporary production halt, heightening concerns over supplies of key plastics feedstocks. The incident occurred on Wednesday morning at Shanghai BASF Polyurethane Co. Ltd. (SBPC), when equipment failed at a wastewater-treatment facility, causing a release of nitrogen oxides. Social media photos showed large amounts of yellow-brown smoke spreading into the surrounding area. According to Caixin's sources, the leak was controlled within one to two hours of its occurrence and had minimal impact on employees and the environment. The leak has raised concerns about the supply of core raw materials for polyurethanes.