BASF expands HALS and NOR^® HALS capacities to support global megatrends

• Significant investments in standard HALS and NOR HALS capacity
• Advanced NOR technology for driving growth in Chinese plasticulture
• New attrition-resistant (AR) product forms for safer handling

Ludwigshafen, April 21, 2026 – BASF is strengthening its leadership in plastic additive solutions by expanding its production capacities for both standard and NOR HALS products. These investments support the growing global demand for high-performance plastics and ensure reliable supply of proven, future ready technologies. With the advanced NOR HALS platform BASF addresses the key megatrends in the use of plastics: rising UV radiation, increasingly unpredictable weather conditions, and stricter environmental regulations. These trends are driving demand for materials that deliver longer service life, higher durability, and improved sustainability. “By expanding our HALS and NOR HALS capacities, we are enhancing supply reliability and preparing for continued market growth,” said Joerg Bentlage, Head of Global Product Management, Plastic Additives, BASF. “Our technologies help customers improve product performance while supporting their sustainability goals.”

Supporting China’s growing plasticulture sector

As climate conditions become more extreme and sustainability expectations increase, growers – particularly in China, the world’s largest plasticulture market* – are seeking film materials that deliver durability, efficiency, and environmental responsibility. Modern agricultural films must withstand intense sunlight and heat, but also aggressive agrochemicals and mechanical stress from thinner designs. BASF’s NOR HALS technology provides industry-leading resistance to high UV exposure, elevated temperatures, sulfur-based products that create acidic microclimates, and increasingly harsh pesticides. This robust stabilization enables enhanced structural and optical integrity for reliable multiseason performance, reducing replacement frequency, labor effort, and waste.

These advantages are especially significant in China, where greenhouse, mulch, tunnel, silage, and balewrap films are essential to sustaining food production across diverse climate zones. BASF’s NOR HALS platform provides long shelf life even under intense sunlight and acidic conditions, reduces plastic accumulation in soil through easier recollection and fewer film breakages, and boosts farmer productivity by minimizing the need for frequent film replacement. By maintaining optical clarity and structural integrity, the technology ensures consistent light transmission – a critical factor for maximizing yields in Chinese greenhouse operations. At the same time, extended durability and reduced material requirements support China’s growing sustainability ambitions and its continued leadership in plasticulture.

Safer Handling with AR (attrition-resistant) Product Forms

Producers benefit from the ability to manufacture thinner films without compromising strength or longevity, ensuring stable performance across multiple seasons while lowering material use and environmental impact. To further promote safety and production efficiency, BASF offers its NOR solutions in AR form, which significantly reduces dust formation during handling and processing. This approach enables cleaner working environments, simplifies dosing and masterbatch production.

Visit BASF at Chinaplas from April 21 to 24 to get more information at hall 7.2, booth C41 or get in touch with us online Enquiry - Plastic Additives.

*Comité International des Plastiques Agricoles (CIPA Global Reach - CIPA Plasticulture)

About BASF’s plastic additives
BASF is a leading supplier, manufacturer, and innovation partner of plastic additives. Its comprehensive and innovative product portfolio includes additives that provide ease in processing, and heat and light resistance to a variety of polymers and applications including molded articles, films, fibers, sheets, and extruded profiles. The portfolio is constantly analyzed, assessed, and actively improved towards solutions which make a larger contribution to sustainability. More information about plastic additives: www.plasticadditives.basf.com.

About BASF
At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. Our ambition: We want to be the preferred chemical company to enable our customers’ green transformation. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Around 108,000 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 comprises, as core businesses, the segments Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, and Nutrition & Care; our standalone businesses are bundled in the segments Surface Technologies and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of around €60 billion in 2025. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the United States. Further information at www.basf.com.