“Chemistry is the New Black”: BASF innovative solutions enable new possibilities for fashion industry
- Industry forum held to promote sustainable development of the Chinese textile industry
- Debut “PolyTHFTM Inside” brand that assures customers of high quality and consistent performance
- BASF at Intertextile – Autumn Edition: Booth no. G40, German Pavilion, Hall 5.1, National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai, China, September 25 – 27
Shanghai, China – September 25 – At Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics, under the theme of “Chemistry is the New Black”, BASF will showcase a variety of sustainable solutions, from raw materials for chemical fibers to denim wash auxiliaries and accessories made by 3D printing. These solutions help the textile industry make the production more stable and efficient while reducing carbon emissions. In addition, BASF has launched a new brand, “PolyTHFTM Inside”, at its Denim Industry Development Trend Forum concurrently held with the exhibition. The spandex products endorsed with the brand will provide fabric manufacturers with guaranteed product performance and stable production process.
“We are proud to introduce the ‘PolyTHFTM Inside’ brand to our customers. This new brand represents high product quality and BASF’s commitment to supporting our customers through innovation and customized solutions,” said Dr. Bei Hu, Vice President of Business Management for Intermediates Greater China, BASF. “We are delighted that Hangzhou Banglian Spandex (Banglian), one of the spandex yarn producers with advanced fabrication technologies, will use ‘PolyTHFTM Inside’ brand for its spandex yarns for denim fabrics. Together with Banglian, we will contribute to the healthy and sustainable development of the Chinese textile industry.”
Leveraging on the knowledge and expertise on PolyTHF (polytetrahydrofuran), the key material to produce spandex, BASF has become one of the leading producers of PolyTHF over the past three decades. Textiles that contain ‘PolyTHFTM Inside’ are soft and durable, which provide a sense of comfort to users. Due to its superelastic feature, spandex has become one of the most popular textile materials and is often found in a variety of apparels, including sportswear, intimate apparel, outerwear, and swimsuits.
“China’s chemical fiber industry has been upgrading and transforming rapidly. However, the spandex products in China are still catching up in terms of variety and the ability to innovate to meet customers’ needs,” said Mr. Duan Xiaoping, President of China Chemical Fiber Association. “Spandex, especially used in denim fabrics, often loses its elasticity after being treated in multiple treatment processes. Therefore, innovation in raw materials and production technologies plays a crucial role in the development of the spandex industry.”
Other innovative solutions to be presented at Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics include:
- Bio-based BDO (1,4-butanediol), the raw material of PolyTHF based on renewable feedstock, contributes to sustainable growth without compromising performance.
- Lutensol® AT 80, an anti-back-staining auxiliary which protects the white ground and is best compatible with denim enzymes that create the vintage look and soft feel.
- Non-ionic surfactants, chelates, optical brightening agents and polymers for pretreatment, dyeing, printing and finishing processes, such as phosphate-free dispersing agents, high-performance dyes, transfer inhibitors, stain remover, fiber lubricants, emulsifier, wetting and leveling agents.
- A portfolio of start-up companies supported by BASF Venture Capital for photonic metamaterial for dynamic coloring technology and a wide range of additive manufacturing solutions as well as other textile related solutions.
About BASF in Greater China
BASF has been a committed partner to Greater China since 1885. With larger production sites in Shanghai, Nanjing and Chongqing, BASF is a major foreign investor in the country’s chemical industry, and operates the Innovation Campus Shanghai, a global and regional research and development hub. BASF posted sales of over €7.3 billion in 2018 to customers in Greater China and employed 9,317 people as of the end of that year. For further information, please visit www.basf.com/cn/en.
About BASF
At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. The approximately 122,000 employees in the BASF Group work on contributing to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio is organized into six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of around €63 billion in 2018. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the U.S. Further information at www.basf.com.
