Factbook

The project focuses on reusing plastic waste in chemical production. Thermochemical processes are used to transform plastic waste into new raw materials, which are then fed into the BASF Verbund instead of fossil resources. In October 2018, the first pyrolysis oil derived from plastic waste by our partners was used in Ludwigshafen, Germany. The new chemical products manufactured from this pyrolysis oil have the same quality as products made from fossil feedstock.

In 2018, we started the production of methanol based on renewable raw materials. For the product – certified according to the EU REDcert standard –, we replace fossil raw materials with second- generation renewable raw materials, and we also use waste and residual materials. Result: We reduce emissions of greenhouse gases by at least 50% compared with conventionally produced methanol. We market the EU-REDcert-methanol to customers and use it in-house as an intermediate for other biomass balanced products. Biomass balanced methanol is chemically identical to methanol based on fossil resources. 

The new thermomechanics module of BASF’s Ultrasim^® simulation tool enables thermal deformation to be detected at an early stage of development of components such as electronics parts. The tool can be used to simulate the typical temperature load from minus 40°C to 150°C for various applications. This saves our customers time and money in the development process as they are able to identify and avoid component faults at an early stage before going into serial production.

Kauranat^® MS 1001 is BASF’s innovative isocyanate-based product for the woodworking industry. It is designed to enable synergistic effects between isocyanate and amino resin type binders. When Kauranat^® MS 1001 is used in a hybrid binder system together with an amino resin to produce chipboard, for example, this system starts to cure in the press at lower temperatures than usual. This increases production speed by up to 20%, saving process energy and significantly increasing total production capacity.

Designers in the furniture industry now have access to innovative wood fiberboards based on BASF’s new binder technology, acForm^®. Unlike standard wood fiberboards, those novel panels can be 3D-molded and their surfaces can be structured on standard furniture molding equipment. This opens up new, cost-efficient design options for large-scale production. Since acForm^® works without formaldehyde, this technology also enables the woodworking industry to set new standards in workplace health and safety.

As electronic systems in cars become more and more complex, braking systems must meet increasingly stringent requirements. Brake fluids are an important safety factor: They must ensure fast signal processing and braking reactions, so a low viscosity is crucial. With a viscosity that is more than 50% lower than standard products, Hydraulan^® 406 ESI significantly improves braking safety, even under difficult conditions, and sets new performance benchmarks for a premium brake fluid.

Diesel oxidation catalysts (DOC) reduce emissions of heavy-duty diesel engines by removing hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide and enabling soot removal from the exhaust. BASF offers a novel DOC that reduces the precious metal active ingredients by at least 25%. Another advantage is it significantly broadens the temperature region to implement removal of soot and prevent build-up of back pressure on the engine, thereby reducing fuel consumption. The novel DOC design is used in all major markets.

To provide cost-efficient coatings that help our customers reduce VOC emissions, NORBIN^® 66 waterborne basecoat was developed in the automotive refinish research and development center in Jiangmen, China. The basecoat system offers easy-to-mix blending capability, hiding efficiency, short drying time, and reduced material waste. The waterborne formulation technology of NORBIN^® 66 underscores BASF’s commitment to sustainability and to making our customers more successful with innovative and high-quality products.

MasterTop TC 941 is a non-solvent-based, UV-stable topcoat with low emissions that offers exceptional cleanability and scratch resistance properties for resin floor systems. Targeted for use in retail and light industry spaces, MasterTop TC 941 has excellent aesthetic durability, which reduces cleaning and maintenance bills and leads to a lower cost of ownership for the customer over the life of the floor.

When white or light laundry emerge from the washing machine, consumers expect brilliant results – not faint traces of graying or soil stains. Graying caused by re-deposition of dissolved soils in the wash is still a challenge, especially in highly concentrated liquids and single-dose laundry detergents. Our water-soluble polymer, Sokalan^® HP 96, is a highly efficient ingredient that not only helps to remove stains, but also prevents dirt from penetrating textiles during washing and prolongs the lifetime of consumers’ textiles.

BASF launched Lucantin^® NXT, the next generation of carotenoid formulations, which are nature-identical color pigments used as feed additives. The new formulations provide improved product stability along with excellent bioavailability. Lucantin^® NXT delivers high homogeneity and a long shelf life while maintaining egg yolk and broiler skin coloring efficacy. The new formulations replace the stabilizer ethoxyquin with antioxidants such as propyl gallate, butylhydroxytoluene or tocopherol. Lucantin^® NXT complies with the latest E.U. regulation, which requires the suspension of ethoxyquin as a feed additive.

InVigor^® hybrids with pod shatter reduction (PSR) technology are an innovative solution for minimizing lost yield due to seed pods splitting open and seeds prematurely falling out. The patented PSR technology continues to revolutionize the way canola growers approach their season. The PSR feature naturally strengthens the pod seam and connective tissue. By 2019, more than half of BASF’s InVigor^® product lineup in the United States, Canada and Australia will contain the PSR feature.