BASF joins Ellen MacArthur Foundation initiatives for circular economy

Membership focuses on “Circular Economy 100” and “New Plastics Economy” initiatives
BASF is committed to a circular economy approach across its value chain and within its products

Ludwigshafen, Germany – May 4, 2017 – BASF, the world’s leading chemical company, today announced its membership of two Ellen MacArthur Foundation programs, to further advance its existing circular economy solutions.

Founded in 2010, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation works with businesses, government and academia to build a framework for an economy that is restorative and regenerative by design. The transition from a linear to a more circular economy can bring significant changes in business models and provide additional value across industries and to society. The aim is to develop an attractive and viable alternative to today’s linear “take, make, dispose” model. The chemical industry plays a pivotal role in this transition due to its innovation power.

“Circular economy is much more than waste management. It requires substantial changes in terms of behavior and technology use. Circular economy thinking cannot be restricted to a company’s own operations. It needs to run across the value chain to embrace and provide value to customers and suppliers,” said Dirk Voeste, Vice President Sustainability Strategy at BASF. “A smart circular economy concept has to be integrated within product development, production processes, use and re-use systems right from the beginning.”

BASF joined the Foundation’s “Circular Economy 100” program to drive not only the concept within its own operations, but also the realization of circular economy together with other innovators and organizations. The engagement in the multi-stakeholder platform provides additional opportunities to learn and collaborate with partners along the value chain.

“Established to enable organizations to learn, build capacity, network and collaborate, the CE100 brings together leaders and innovators from around the world, to unlock new opportunities arising from a circular economy approach. We are pleased to welcome BASF to the program, to offer their unique perspective on the key role chemistry plays in developing new processes and solutions across the value chain,” said Casper Jorna, CE100 Program Lead.

BASF has also become a member in the Foundation’s “New Plastics Economy” initiative that brings together key stakeholders to rethink and redesign the future of plastics, starting with packaging. Here, BASF will work closely with the initiative’s participants to accelerate the transition towards a circular economy for plastics, while ensuring that benefits such as food protection are upheld.

“As a manufacturer with a broad plastics portfolio for the automotive, household appliance, construction and packaging industries, we can contribute to the Foundation’s platform a wealth of expertise in plastics, their properties and recycling opportunities”, said Dr. Jens Hamprecht, Head of Market Development Biopolymers, BASF. “For example, we can also share our significant experience with biodegradable and partially bio-based plastics, like our ecovio^®, in applications such as the collection of bio waste.”

Learn more about circular economy at BASF:

Circular economy: A visionary roadmap?

Video by BASF "How to close the loops"

About BASF
At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. The approximately 114,000 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 five segments: Chemicals, Performance Products, Functional Materials & Solutions, Agricultural Solutions and Oil & Gas. BASF generated sales of about €58 billion in 2016. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (BAS). Further information at www.basf.com.

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For BASF, circular economy is much more than waste management. The aim is to close cycles and use products and resources in the best way possible across the entire value chain.

ecovio® is a high-quality and versatile bioplastic of BASF. The primary advantages: It is certified compostable and partially bio based.

Das Herz der BASF-Gruppe ist die BASF SE mit ihrem Stammwerk in Ludwigshafen am Rhein. Mit etwa 250 Produktionsbetrieben, vielen hundert Laboren, Technika, Werkstätten und Büros auf einer Fläche von rund zehn Quadratkilometern, ist es der größte zusammenhängende Chemiekomplex der Welt.
Das Stammwerk der BASF ist auch die Wiege des Verbundkonzepts: Produktionsanlagen, Energieflüsse und Logistik werden intelligent miteinander vernetzt, um Ressourcen so effizient wie möglich zu nutzen.
Abdruck honorarfrei. Copyright by BASF.

BASF SE with its main site in Ludwigshafen is the heart of the BASF Group. With around 250 productions facilities, hundreds of laboratories, technical centers, factories and offices in an area of approximately ten square kilometers, the site is the largest integrated chemical complex in the world.
As the headquarters of BASF it is also the cradle of the Verbund concept, where production facilities, energy flows and logistics are linked together intelligently in order to utilize resources as efficiently as possible.
Print free of charge. Copyright by BASF.

BASF SE with its main site in Ludwigshafen is the heart of the BASF Group. With around 250 productions facilities, hundreds of laboratories, technical centers, factories and offices in an area of approximately ten square kilometers, the site is the largest integrated chemical complex in the world. As the headquarters of BASF it is also the cradle of the Verbund concept, where production facilities, energy flows and logistics are linked together intelligently in order to utilize resources as efficiently as possible.

For BASF, circular economy is much more than waste management. The aim is to close cycles and use products and resources in the best way possible across the entire value chain.