---
title: "BASF starts up world’s first industrial plant for 3D printed catalysts"
url: https://www.voxelmatters.com/basf-starts-up-worlds-first-industrial-plant-for-3d-printed-catalysts/
date: 2026-03-21
modified: 2026-03-21
lang: en
author: "Joseph Caron-Dawe"
description: "Industrial chemical company BASF has started up what it claims is the world's first industrial-scale production plant for catalysts based on its X3D technology at its Ludwigshafen, Germany site. The..."
categories:
  - "Advanced Materials"
  - "Metal Additive Manufacturing"
  - "Sustainability"
tags:
  - "insights"
image: https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BASF-plant_01-640x400.jpg
word_count: 340
---

# BASF starts up world’s first industrial plant for 3D printed catalysts

[Industrial chemical company BASF](https://www.voxelmatters.directory/company/basf-se/) has started up what it claims is the world's first industrial-scale production plant for catalysts based on its X3D technology at its Ludwigshafen, Germany site.

![BASF starts up world](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BASF-plant_02-340x340.jpg)

The move takes additive manufacturing of catalysts to a commercial level for the first time, and the X3D technology produces catalysts with geometries that combine high mechanical stability with an open structure. This reduces pressure drop in reactors while increasing catalytically active surface area. 

The result, BASF claims, is higher reactor throughput, improved product quality, and substantially lower energy consumption compared to conventional catalysts. The technology is compatible with a broad range of catalyst materials, including precious and base metal catalysts and various support materials.

## Customer deployments already underway

[BASF has been supplying X3D catalysts to both internal and external customers prior to commissioning the dedicated plant](https://www.voxelmatters.com/basf-expands-production-capacity-for-x3d-catalyst-shaping/). In 2025, Chinese fine chemical company An Hui Jintung filled its production plant with BASF's sulfuric acid catalysts O4-115 X3D.

“The plant started up smoothly, and plant performance has significantly improved compared to before. Production achieved a record high, generating substantial economic benefits for our company. We will continue our collaboration with BASF to promote catalyst upgrades and replacements across additional units,” stated Eter Zhu, General Manager at An Hui Jintung.

## Leadership transition accompanies plant launch

The Ludwigshafen commissioning also coincides with a leadership handover within BASF's chemical catalysts business. Detlef Ruff, Senior Vice President Chemical Catalysts and Adsorbents at BASF, is set to be succeeded by Yaqian Liu on April 1.

“We are pleased that X3D technology already gives our customers a real competitive edge: We can supply catalysts tailored precisely to their specific chemical processes – quickly and in large quantities,” said Ruff.

“At the same time, we help customers reach their goals, as our catalysts enable them to increase production performance while improving the efficiency of the raw materials they use.”

Liu added: “I am truly excited to see these groundbreaking innovations and honored to take on the responsibility for a business that serves as a key enabler of chemical reactions.”