United Arab Emirates
Sustainability
BASF’s Creator Space program to be continued to support innovation
May 31, 2016
BASF will continue the Creator Space™ program as part of its innovation process to foster co-creation and open innovation within the company. The program was launched during BASF’s 150th anniversary year. In around 50 initiatives around the globe, BASF employees discussed solutions to challenges with a focus on the three anniversary themes of food, smart energy and urban living with more than 6,000 partners from industry, academia, government and society. These initiatives have led to more than 100 projects currently being pursued with partners. In addition, two projects are being carried out within corporate citizenship initiatives.
“The knowledge and creativity of many minds can give rise to extraordinary ideas. This was the inspiration behind BASF’s 150th anniversary program. Creator Space proved to be an excellent way to foster intense exchange with external partners and generate new ideas,” said Dr. Martin Brudermüller, Vice Chairman and Chief Technology Officer of BASF. “The Board decided to integrate co-creation formats into its innovation process with external partners.”
Margret Suckale, member of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF, commented on the outcome for BASF’s social engagement efforts: “The anniversary provided an opportunity not only to celebrate with employees and partners, but also to advance our sustainability and corporate citizenship efforts worldwide. In addition to the 150 projects launched by employees around the world with local NGOs in 2015, two projects underline the global approach of our social engagement strategy, aimed at measurable social impact and learning opportunities for both society and BASF.”
Projects for energy-efficient housing and clean drinking water
Among the projects being continued are a value chain partnership to provide low-income families with affordable, energy-efficient housing in Brazil; a new technology that aims to bring daylight into buildings; and a corporate citizenship pilot project to provide water and sanitation to slum communities being conducted with a non-profit organization near BASF’s new research campus in Mumbai, India.
“Low income house” in Brazil
Housing in large cities is a global challenge, and Brazil is no exception. BASF has worked with construction companies to conduct various co-creation activities in order to meet the needs of the inhabitants. The idea is to collaborate in finding economical and environmentally-friendly solutions for more sustainable housing, such as the 32 square meter model “low income house”. The house features many impressive solutions created by BASF and its partners, including rapid and cost-efficient construction, low maintenance costs and less waste generation. Together with its partners, BASF is working to develop the model house further, so that these houses can be brought onto the market and enable families to have their own home. Read more about the project at https://creator-space.basf.com.
Co-creation with Daimler and BASF: “Bus to the Future”
In a joint customer innovation workshop with Daimler Buses, BASF employees from a range of fields including chemicals, technology, design and marketing came together with experts from Daimler to find out more about Daimler's goals and the challenges they face. The original concepts and visions discussed included environmentally-friendly technologies, comfortable interiors and lighter bodywork. The Daimler and BASF team developed more than 40 innovative ideas for integrated system solutions for the bus of the future. Find out more about the event here.
Clean water for the people of Mumbai
Millions of people lack access to clean water, especially in slums. BASF is looking for solutions to this enormous challenge. Developing solutions for this market will take collaboration with a series of external partners, such as the municipal water providers in Mumbai, whom BASF has included in various activities. BASF is also in intensive dialog with NGOs and other partners in the supply chain. BASF and a research platform are now working together on a solution and a business model for providing water, even to those areas of the city not connected to mains water. The idea is that this approach can also be adapted to fit other cities in emerging nations. Find out more about the challenges faced in Mumbai and the plans for the future in our Creator Space™ White Paper.
Smart energy: Making use of daylight
BASF employees from Switzerland won the jamming final on the topic of energy efficiency in Barcelona. They impressed with their proposal “From the darkness into the light – Smart daylight management in buildings”. Less than 40% of the available daylight is used today, so the Swiss employees developed an idea for a non-powered technology based on micro-optical films, which captures up to 95% of daylight and conducts it into the building's interior. What makes this technique truly special is that it does not use classic transparent components such as windows. Its use could be suitable for apartment blocks, office buildings and even plants and factories, among others. Read more about the final idea pitch in Barcelona at https://creator-space.basf.com.
Employees get involved: Connected to Care
To celebrate its 150-year anniversary, BASF supported its employees in implementing charitable projects in the global team competition “Connected to Care”. 150 winning projects were selected from 500 entries in the Urban Living, Food, and Smart Energy categories. Even after its anniversary year, BASF will continue to support the voluntary commitment of its employees through various regional projects. Find out more about the various projects here.
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