Factbook

Sodium acrylate is an important starting material for superabsorbents. Unlike the current propylene-based production method, a new process uses CO₂ and ethylene, which are converted using a catalyst. BASF experts have demonstrated that it can be successfully implemented at laboratory scale. The use of CO₂ could replace around 30% of the fossil fuels, provided that a larger-scale process also proves to be stable and energetically favorable.

As part of the Carbon Management R&D Program, BASF developed a climate-friendly production process for methanol. In this new process, the waste gas streams from methanol synthesis are incinerated. The resulting CO₂ is isolated and fed back into the process as feedstock. The syngas needed is also generated without CO₂ emissions through partial oxidation, and thus all of the carbon from the raw material ends up in the methanol. Unlike conventional methods, this process does not produce any greenhouse gas emissions. In 2019, an international patent was filed.

This semi-crystalline polyamide offers very high light transmission with low light scattering compared to opaque standard polyamides. Its high UV and temperature resistance, scratch resistance and chemical resistance make Ultramid^® Vision an important building block wherever visual control or light design play a role, for example, in backlit switches or buttons in cars. Ultramid^® Vision can be repeatedly exposed to aggressive media such as sunscreen, cleaning agents and solvents without sustaining damage.

The Swiss packaging manufacturer O. Kleiner AG, in collaboration with BASF, has developed an aluminum-free sustainable coffee packaging that uses not only a bio-polyethylene but also the bio-based copolyamide Ultramid^® Flex F38. BASF’s polyamide ensures the mechanical stability and puncture resistance of the packaging. The amount of fossil raw materials for the innovative packaging was significantly reduced, thereby significantly reducing CO₂ emissions. Ultramid^® Flex F 38 makes an important contribution with its high bio-based content of up to 34% canola oil from regional sources. With the help of compensation measures and the use of a bio-polyethylene, the coffee packaging is completely CO₂-neutral.

Preventing coatings from yellowing is key for automotive refinish coatings. Basonat^® HI NG is an aliphatic polyisocyanate hardener for two-component polyurethane (2C PU) coatings. It provides outstanding durability and resistance against light and weather, enabling complex formulations with significantly reduced yellowing compared with standard HI-grade hardeners. With this new product, BASF fulfils the market’s highest technical performance requirements.

Offering tailor-made sustainability and regulatory services, we answer customer needs. The sustainability services help customers to identify opportunities and risks and enable fact-based decision making. Our sustainability services include eco-efficiency analyses, life cycle assessments and recommendations for more sustainable product offerings. The newly launched regulatory service RegXcellence™ for fuel and lubricant solutions provides simple access to high-quality product and substance-related information directly from BASF’s expert network.

In collaboration with Linde and academic partners, we successfully produced syngas from methane and CO₂ in a process known as “dry reforming.” This can be converted into dimethyl ether (DME) in an intermediate step and then into olefins, one of the main intermediates in the chemical industry. New catalysts from BASF are used in both the production of syngas and its subsequent conversion into DME. BASF scientists also developed proprietary production processes for the catalysts. Together with employees from the Catalysts division, the researchers transferred the new catalysts to production and worked on pilot tests in 2019.

The overspray-free painting process is new to the automotive industry. It has been designed for two-tone coatings, allowing paint application on defined areas like car roofs, with a 100% transfer efficiency. We have developed a matching basecoat system for our customers which enables this innovative coating application. With overspray-free application, both the design variety and individualization of a car can be increased while achieving significant savings in manual work, time, costs and material in the paint line.

Sensitive and delicate baby skin needs extra mild care to keep it soft and soothed. Our innovative anionic surfactant Texapon^® SFA is based on sustainable, RSPO-certified renewable resources and is extremely gentle on the skin and eyes. This makes it especially suitable for baby skin and formulas for tear-free shampoo products. Clinical tests have shown that formulas based on Texapon^® SFA do not cause a burning sensation in the eyes, are easy on the skin and mucous membranes, and create a dense, stable and creamy foam. Texapon^® SFA is 100% biodegradable and suitable as an alternative to sulfate surfactants.

Through this acquisition, BASF has expanded its portfolio with biotech-based natural ingredients. Isobionics^® is an innovation leader in biotechnology, serving the global market for natural flavors and fragrances with a focus on citrus oil components such as valencene and nootkatone. By combining BASF’s R&D excellence and broad market access with the know-how and expertise of Isobionics^®, we will advance the technology for biotech-based aroma ingredients, serve the increasing market demand and ensure high quality standards.

e3^® is BASF’s program for sustainable cotton in the United States, enabling farmers to meet customer demand for more traceable and sustainable supply chains in the fashion industry. They commit to growing cotton more efficiently and to reducing the impact on the environment. e3^® cotton can be traced from the farmer to the retailer and shows end consumers that their clothes have been produced in a fair, economically viable and environmentally responsible way. Verification and certification through independent audits increase the recognition of sustainably produced cotton. BASF is the only company providing this level of traceability.