A more sustainable electrical power system with concept switchgear cabinet co-created by BASF and Ningbo Yaohua

• BASF’s recyclable, energy efficient and high-performance material solutions reduce life cycle carbon emissions of the switchgear cabinet 

BASF and Ningbo Yaohua Electric Technology Co., Ltd. (Yaohua) have co-created a concept switchgear cabinet with insulation components made of BASF’s high-performance material solutions Ultramid^® polyamide (PA) and Ultradur^® polybutylene terephthalate (PBT). Compared to conventional thermosetting materials, embedded pole, bushing, insulated spindle, and static contact socket of the disconnect switch made with Ultramid and Ultradur are recyclable. The processing and production of Ultramid and Ultradur is also more energy efficient.

“The trend across the switchgear market is towards using more sustainable materials which reduce carbon emissions throughout the product’s life cycle. With BASF’s solutions, we have significantly improved the overall recyclability of our switchgear cabinet and a step closer to achieving our company's sustainability goals,” said Mr. Jiangang Liu, Chairman, Yaohua.

The electrical cabinet is also more reliable for long-term use in a wide range of harsh environments owing to the high mechanical strength and good electrical insulation properties of Ultramid and Ultradur. The lightweight material solutions possess excellent flowability, which enables design freedom for a more compact cabinet structure.

“Together with Yaohua, we are enabling the green transformation of the medium and high voltage switchgear cabinet industry with our advanced material solutions. Our Creation Center China also provided expertise and technical guidance for the design of the switchgear cabinet and key component mockup,” said Eng Guan Soh, Vice President, Business Management Engineering Plastics, Performance Materials Asia Pacific, BASF.

The switchgear cabinet - responsible for controlling, protecting, and isolating electrical equipment and circuits - is a vital component of an electrical power system.

About BASF

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Around 112,000 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 six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €68.9 billion in 2023. 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.

About BASF’s Performance Materials division

BASF’s Performance Materials division is at the forefront of the much-needed sustainability transformation in plastics. Our products are co-created with customers around the globe to bring innovations to major industry sectors such as transportation, consumer goods, industrial applications, and construction. Our R&D focuses on all stages of the plastics journey: Make, Use and Recycle. The MAKE phase is about improving how plastics are made, from product design to the choice of raw materials and the manufacturing process itself. The USE phase enhances plastics’ strengths such as light weight, robustness, and thermal resistance. At the end of the product lifecycle, the RECYCLE phase looks at how to close the loop to achieve a circular economy. In 2023, the Performance Materials division achieved global sales of €7.2 billion. Join #ourplasticsjourney at: https://www.performance-materials.basf.com