BASF has inaugurated a new Global Performance Lab for diapers and superabsorbents (SAP) in Mumbai, strengthening its technical support and customer-focused innovation capabilities for the global hygiene market. The company inaugurated the facility on August 18, 2026. Located within BASF’s Innovation Campus Asia Pacific in Mumbai, the new laboratory will provide technical and application services to superabsorbent customers worldwide.
Lab Strengthens Hygiene Solutions
BASF established the laboratory in less than a year as part of its Hygiene Solutions business. The facility is located at BASF’s Innovation Campus Asia Pacific, the company’s second-largest R&D site in the Asia Pacific region, which was established in Mumbai in 2017 under BASF Chemicals India Private Limited. The facility builds on BASF’s global superabsorbents production network and aims to bring technical expertise closer to customers, particularly in one of the world’s rapidly growing hygiene markets.
Advanced Testing for Superabsorbents and Diapers
The Mumbai lab can perform more than thirty testing methods covering superabsorbent polymers and diaper performance. The facility will support superabsorbent polymer (SAP) testing, diaper performance evaluation, benchmark testing, technical and application support and development of innovative hygiene solutions. BASF will use the laboratory to collaborate with customers in developing solutions for baby diapers, adult incontinence products and feminine hygiene applications.
Accelerating Customer-focused Innovation
The Mumbai facility is designed to enable faster technical collaboration and knowledge sharing between BASF and its customers. As a result, customers can work more closely with BASF specialists to evaluate product performance and develop solutions tailored to changing market requirements. Oliver Cullmann, Vice President, Global Marketing & Strategy C3 Value Chain, said the new laboratory demonstrates BASF’s commitment to improving performance, sustainability and customer value. According to BASF, closer collaboration will help accelerate innovation and enable the company to respond more effectively to evolving consumer and market needs.
Mumbai Lab Connects with Global R&D Network
The SAP and Diaper Performance Labs will also strengthen BASF’s global research and technical service network. The Mumbai facility will collaborate with the company’s Global Product Development Lab for superabsorbents in Ludwigshafen, Germany. Consequently, BASF can combine regional customer proximity with global technical expertise, supporting faster development and knowledge exchange across its hygiene solutions business.
Supporting the Future of Hygiene Solutions
The Mumbai laboratory represents more than an expansion of BASF’s testing infrastructure. It reflects the company’s focus on customer intimacy, collaboration, speed and innovation in the hygiene solutions market. As per the press release, with growing demand for high-performance and sustainable hygiene products, the facility is expected to help BASF and its customers develop advanced superabsorbent solutions for a wide range of hygiene applications.
