BASF makes waves with sustainable, high performing floatation system

With zero ozone depletion potential and ultra-low global warming potential, BASF’s Autofroth® Marine is a next-generation, eco-friendly solution

WYANDOTTE, MI., Sept. 14, 2015 – BASF will exhibit its Autofroth® Marine floatation systems that offer next generation sustainability benefits at The 2015 International Boatbuilders Exhibition & Conference (IBEX), the largest technical marine event in the world, Sept. 15 – 17, 2015.

BASF’s two new Autofroth Marine polyurethane systems provide an industry leading combination of excellent foam performance to keep boats afloat and a low environmental impact with zero ozone depletion potential and ultra-low global warming potential of 1, which is 1,400 less than current hydrofluorocarbons (HFC) 134a based systems. The two new systems are:

• Autofroth Marine 88-B-1502 Resin/ Autofroth 9300A Isocyanate
• Autofroth Marine 91-B-1502 Resin/ Autofroth 10000A Isocyanate

Offering marine manufacturers sustainable solutions that allow them to prepare for upcoming regulations, both BASF systems are fully compliant with the US EPA HFC foam blowing agent phase out scheduled for Jan. 2020, with zero HFCs.

"As a leader in polyurethane systems, we are committed to working with our customers in the marine market to develop solutions that meet or exceed their needs and have a lower environmental footprint," said Jun Hong, market segment manager, Performance Materials Consumer Business, BASF.

In addition to the low environmental impact of these systems, Autofroth Marine offers superior foam performance. The foam is frothy with rapid cream times, which leads to reduced leakage and easier processing during manufacturing. Specifically, cycle times are reduced since it takes less time for the foam to gel, setting as quickly as 90 seconds and with a low free rise density of 2lbs/cf, less foam is required to fill the given volume of a part, leading to more efficient material usage. The system also has excellent dimensional stability. During testing, the volume change was minimal at less than 1 percent when tested at 100 degrees Fahrenheit and 100 percent relative humidity.

Both of these systems passed the Coast Guard tests, exceeding the regulation of keeping a vessel (under 20 feet in length) afloat for at least 18 hours in the event that the boat becomes submerged.

Autofroth Marine, along with other BASF offerings including Ultracom® lightweight composite, Ultramid® engineering plastics and Elastoskin seating will be on display at IBEX Booth 1447 from Sept.15-17 during showroom hours. For more information on BASF and its marine solutions, please visit: http://www.performance-materials.basf.us/.

About BASF

BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has more than 17,000 employees in North America, and had sales of $20.6 billion in 2014. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, visit www.basf.us.

At BASF, we create chemistry – and have been doing so for 150 years. Our portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas. As the world’s leading chemical company, we combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Through science and innovation, we enable our customers in nearly every industry to meet the current and future needs of society. Our products and solutions contribute to conserving resources, ensuring nutrition and improving quality of life. We have summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose: We create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF had sales of over €74 billion in 2014 and around 113,000 employees as of the end of the year. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.

P-US-15-165