BASF introduces Micronal® microcapsules for interior temperature control
New wax-filled heat-storage capsules in walls increase energy efficiency, comfort

CHARLOTTE, N.C., August 2, 2004 -- BASF has introduced Micronal PCM, a new microencapsulation technology for interior building materials, such as plaster boards and gypsum boards, that reduces energy costs and increases room comfort.

BASF's Micronal phase-change microcapsules (PCM) apply an established technique used in space exploration technology for interior temperature management in buildings. The technique is simple: Plastic capsules are filled with a wax that absorbs and releases energy by melting and solidifying. When integrated within an astronaut's spacesuit, a soldier's garments, or within an interior plaster or plasterboard wall, the capsules increase the thermal capacity of the material and act to dampen temperature swings. As a result, astronauts in space and soldiers in the field feel more comfortable. In a similar way, buildings constructed with Micronal modified plaster materials provide greater comfort for the occupants, and reduce air conditioning system energy needs by up to one-third, depending on the overall design of the construction.

"Manufacturers of interior building materials can utilize BASF's Micronal phase-change microcapsules to create new product categories that can give them a competitive advantage," said Michael Guibault, a Marketing Manager for BASF's Construction Polymers business in North America. "Applications include interior gypsum wall plasters, paints, plasterboard, and floor screed."

Guibault said that for architects, these tiny capsules add a new, innovative tool to address the growing 'green building' trend. He said architects can now design modern, flexible, light-construction buildings that have the energy-efficiency advantages that previously only came by using thicker, traditional materials.

"Old buildings, such as castles and churches, can maintain a constant indoor temperature for long periods regardless of the weather, because their walls are thick and they can store a great deal of heat energy," Guibault said. "The thermal capacity of a one-half-inch thick plaster layer with 30 percent Micronal is roughly equivalent to that of a six-inch thick brick wall. Consequently, a building that utilizes a thin layer of a Micronal modified plaster can achieve the same cool interior feel as a building that uses a thick stone or masonry wall."

While phase-change microcapsules are not a replacement for insulation, Micronal enhanced building materials can enable a reduction in air conditioning needs and allow the equipment to be run at a more constant level. It can also slightly reduce the need for heating at night. This 'space age' innovation can improve comfort, reduce capital outlay, and reduce energy costs, year after year.

BASF's Micronal phase-change capsules rely on simple melting and freezing, just as ice melts to form water when warmed and freezes again when the temperature drops below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. The wax microcapsules work in the same way, except the melting and freezing occurs at 78.5 degrees Fahrenheit. The key with the Micronal capsules is that a lot of heat energy is needed to fully melt the wax. For example, the energy required to melt one pound of ice at 32 degrees Fahrenheit to form water at 32 degrees Fahrenheit is actually equivalent to the amount of energy needed to heat the same pound of water from 32 degrees Fahrenheit to about 175 degrees Fahrenheit. The wax used in Micronal also absorbs a large amount of heat energy during its melting. When used in a building material, room heat is readily absorbed when interior temperature starts to climb just above the wax's melting point. While the wax is absorbing the room's heat to melt, the room temperature stays constant, thus modulating temperature swings in the room. This system works in daily cycles so that at night, when the room temperature drops below 78.5 degrees Fahrenheit, heat energy stored in the microcapsules' liquid wax is released as the wax freezes. Consequently, Micronal provides a dampening effect on the room's temperature during the day and night because it reversibly absorbs energy (e.g., from the air and sunlight), stores it, and later releases it as the ambient air temperature drops.

Micronal was made possible by a new microencapsulation technology that holds microscopic wax droplets inside hard acrylic polymer shells. The small, 2 to 20 micrometer sized microcapsules are impervious, making them safe to process, and far too small to be damaged by sanding, drilling or cutting of the construction material.

BASF manufactures and markets Micronal DS 5000 X, a dispersion of microcapsules in water, and Micronal DS 5001 X, a dry powder.

As a major supplier to the construction and coatings industry, BASF develops, produces and markets polymer dispersions, powders and solutions based on acrylates, styrene and butadiene worldwide. They are used, for example, to manufacture plasters, finishing systems and compounds, advanced super concrete plasticizers, roof coatings and ceramic tile adhesives. They act as binding agents in paints and coatings. BASF's special strengths lie in its high-performance research, development and applications technology. The business is part of the Functional Polymers division in BASF's performance products segment. Further information is available online at www.basf.com/dispersions.

Micronal® is a registered trademark of BASF Corporation.

BASF - The Chemical Company. We don't make a lot of the products you buy. We make a lot of the products you buy better.®
BASF Corporation, headquartered in New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF AG, Ludwigshafen, Germany. We employ about 11,000 people in North America and had sales of approximately $9 billion in 2003. For more information about BASF's North American operations, or to sign up to receive news releases by e-mail, visit www.basf.com/usa.

BASF is the world's leading chemical company. Our goal is to grow profitably and further increase the value of our company. We help our customers to be more successful through intelligent system solutions and high-quality products. BASF's portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products, agricultural products and fine chemicals to crude oil and natural gas. Through new technologies we can tap into additional market opportunities. We conduct our business in accordance with the principles of sustainable development. In 2003, BASF had sales of approximately $42 billion and over 87,000 employees worldwide. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.

For more information, contact:
Hartmut Lang
BASF
Tel: (973) 426-2843
E-mail: langh@basf.com