Infinergy^® empowers GiGwi to combine fun and safety in their Pop Pals range of dog toys

• World’s leading high-performance responsive material featured in GiGwi’s latest pet toy series Pop Pals
• Pop Pals pet toys are durable and abrasion-resistant

Shanghai, China–July 29, 2021 - China’s leading pet toy brand, GiGwi, revealed today its signature pet toys collection Pop Pals is now made with Infinergy^® high-performance material. The move is the latest step in GiGwi’s journey to enhance its dog toys with premium quality and sustainable material.  The collection marks the next stage in a partnership empowered by successful research and engagement between the GiGwi and the Infinergy team.

There has been a growing demand in the pet toys market for safe and sustainable, while offering enhanced aesthetics and durability. GiGwi approached Infinergy in search of a flexible and sustainable material to meet these requirements. Catering to GiGwi’s demands, the revolutionary Infinergy material enables the Pop Pals series of pet toys to withstand the force from sharp dog teeth better. Moreover, Infinergy offers the most determined power chewers a sound bite while enabling the Pop Pals toys to stay intact.  

The Infinergy material used in the Pop Pals range of products meets strict quality and purity standards. Infinergy can also be recycled mechanically and chemically. The mechanical recycling process cuts virgin Infinergy down before it is molded into a new product or bonded together using various methods. The chemical recycling process breaks Infinergy down into its chemical constituents, which are then used to create new raw materials, including more Infinergy.

“Pet toys these days require similar features of safety, sustainability, and ruggedness as consumers would naturally expect from children’s toys,” says Mr. Yu Shuai, General Manager of GiGwi. “At the same time, manufacturers need innovative materials that will meet their demands of cost-efficiency and help them strengthen their competitive edge. After much research and collaboration, Infinergy has proven to possess the qualities required for toys.”

Infinergy has constantly been developing breakthroughs ever since its inception in 2013. It is the world’s first expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (E-TPU), and the success of this material has now spun beyond footwear. It is now used in various applications, from sports and leisure products as bikes and treadmills to automobiles and furniture.

“The requirements for pet toys are very specific, while still ensuring that the materials meet mechanical properties. In addition, it must achieve the desired soft feel and resilience that every pet toy possesses. Infinergy worked closely with the GiGwi team to ensure that it meets all these requirements,” said Dr. Jens P. Dierssen, Head of Global Business Management Infinergy. The nature of the material produces erratic bounces, giving the dog a different challenge with every throw. The material is also certified BPA-free and keeps dogs active during all types of play.

Visit infinergy.basf.com to find out more about how Infinergy is empowering movement around the globe.

The Pop Pals range of pet toys series will be launched in China from GiGwi’s retail and online stores from August 2021 onwards. Click here for more.

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BASF’s Performance Materials division encompasses the entire materials’ know-how of BASF regarding innovative, customized plastics under one roof. Globally active in four major industry sectors – transportation, construction, industrial applications and consumer goods – the division has a strong portfolio of products and services combined with deep understanding of application-oriented system solutions. Key drivers of profitability and growth are our close collaboration with customers and a clear focus on solutions. Strong capabilities in R&D provid

e the basis to develop innovative products and applications. In 2020, the Performance Materials division achieved global sales of €5.63 bn. More information online: www.plastics.basf.com.

About BASF

About BASF At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. More than 110,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute 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 €59 billion in 2020. 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.