As one of the largest plastics suppliers in the world, BASF provides technological leadership in manufacturing to meet our customers' worldwide specifications, such as our ability to offer "global grades" of select resins that can be processed on equipment in any region. A key competitive advantage of BASF in this industry is our presence, adaptability and expertise to support our customers with global operations. We support our customers with high-quality products, technical service, application development, world-scale processing technology and efficient on-line business systems.

BASF offers a comprehensive product line and market expertise ranging from commodities to engineering and high-performance materials in thermoplastics, foams and urethanes. Research and development operations for BASF's plastics businesses in North America are based at the Plastics Application Center in Wyandotte, Mich. Our Engineering Plastics business also operates an Applications Development Laboratory in Mount Olive, N.J.
 

 Engineering Plastics

BASF's strategy for growth has made us one of the world's irrefutable leaders of engineering thermoplastics worldwide. We have strengthened our portfolio through acquisitions and product line fortification, enhancing our ability to provide global brands anywhere in the world. To help our customers be more successful, our scientists and engineers unlock every capability that lies with the versatile molecules of our polymers. BASF's commitment to be the leading engineering plastics supplier is captured in our TOP#1 EXCELLENCE initiative, which includes building the best team in the industry, an unrelenting dedication to quality and helping our customers be more successful.

The portfolio of BASF's Engineering Plastics business is comprised of the "4 Ultras" - Ultramid® polyamide (PA) nylon-based resins, Ultradur® polybutylene tererphthalate (PBT), Ultraform® polyacetal (POM), and Ultrason® polysulfone (PSU) and polyether sulfone (PES). The other products are Petra® post-consumer recycled polyester and Nypel® post-industrial nylon 6.

Leading the BASF Engineering Plastics business in North America is Michael Britt, Group Vice President.
 

 Polyurethanes

BASF's Polyurethanes business is comprised of diverse technologies and finished products. Urethane chemicals are raw materials used in rigid and flexible foams commonly used for insulation in the construction and appliance industries, furniture, packaging and transportation. These chemicals are also used in concrete and steel coatings, roofing adhesives, automotive sealants, engineered-wood binders and bowling balls. BASF's Cellasto® MCUs (microcellular polyurethanes) are molded into a wide range of jounce bumpers, coil spring isolators, shock mounts and body mounts that improve the overall ride characteristics of vehicles.

Our Polyurethane Systems business supplies two-component chemical "systems" for a wide range of rigid and flexible foam markets. Typical end-use products include commercial refrigeration, flotation equipment, shoe soles, recreation products, building panels, spray-applied roofing and insulated food containers. In spray-applied foam applications, BASF is a pioneer in the use of environmentally friendly blowing agents and materials used for home insulation and marine applications. Automotive systems applications for BASF polyurethanes include airbag covers, armrests and headrests, interior trim, instrument panels, RIM/fascia, seating, steering wheels and window encapsulation. BASF's Elastollan® thermoplastic urethanes (TPU) are used in an array of commercial, industrial and consumer products. Typical applications include caster wheels, shoe soles, nonwovens, irrigation hoses, reinforced tubing, wire and cable jacketing, in-line skate boots, automotive side body moldings, airbag covers and power tools.

Leading the BASF Polyurethanes business in North America is Bill Bernstein, Group Vice President.

 
Styrenics

The BASF Styrenics business consists of the Foams and Copolymers strategic business units. BASF's styrenic copolymers have applications in electronics, building and construction, and automotive components. Terluran® acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) is an impact-resistant engineering plastic used in a host of injection molding and extrusion applications. Styrolux® styrene-butadiene copolymers (SBC), manufactured at new operations in Altamira, Mexico, combine transparency and impact strength, making these thermoplastic resins ideal for food packaging such as film wrap and drinking cups. BASF manufactures and markets general purpose Polystyrene (GPPS) in Mexico.

Within BASF's Copolymers portfolio are a number of Specialty Polymers. Luran® S acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylate (ASA), a thermoplastic known for its excellent weather resistance, has many end uses in exterior applications, including automotive exterior trim and capstocks for vinyl siding used in building and construction. Styroflex® is a styrene-butadiene elastomer with a unique combination of clarity, toughness and elastic recovery. Styroflex is suitable for films with a need for high puncture resistance, such as food or industrial packaging. Styroflex also adheres to many plastics, making it ideal for soft touch over molded TPE applications. Ecoflex® 100 percent biodegradable/compostable plastic is an aliphatic-aromatic copolyester that is ideal for bags, paper coatings, disposable packaging or agricultural sheeting because it decomposes in compost within a few weeks without leaving any residues. Terblend® N polyamide and acrylonitrile-butadeine-styrene (ABS+PA) offers high impact strength even at temperatures below freezing, excellent toughness, ease of processing, outstanding chemical resistance, good dimensional stability under heat and a high-quality surface finish for end uses in the automotive, electrical and electronic, industrial and sporting equipment segments. Terlux® methyl ethacrylate/acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene (MABS) that provide the clarity and toughness required for many medical applications. Terlux MABS polymers offer excellent transparency, high-impact strength, good chemical resistance, excellent surface quality, luster and easy processing. Terlux MABS can also be easily solvent-bonded to PVC tubing.

BASF's Styropor® expandable polystyrene (EPS) resins are used to make foams for packaging and thermal insulation in the building and construction market. BASF is active in achieving certifications related to sustainable development for Styropor EPS. For example, Styropor EPS foams were recently certified by the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute? (GEI), Atlanta, Ga., for being low-emitting materials that promote healthier indoor environments, and MBDC (McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry), Charlottesville, Va., announced in 2003 that Styropor EPS resins have strong attributes of environmental sustainability because they can be used and recycled in sustainable thermal insulation applications.

Leading the BASF Styrenics business in North America is Ricardo Mendez, Group Vice President.