BASF launches new polyol grade to reduce VOCs inside cars
- New Lupranol® grade to help OEMs meet stringent government regulations and industry standards
- Formaldehyde emissions reduced by 5-10%; acetaldehyde and acrolein by 30-40%
Shanghai, China – February 7, 2017 – The interior air quality of cars can now be improved with lower volatile organic compounds (VOCs), thanks to a new polyether polyol from BASF. The new grade is part of the Lupranol® brand which is used in the production of automotive applications made of highly resilient flexible and semi-rigid polyurethane foams. The low VOC grade polyol has been proven to significantly reduce VOC emissions, particularly aldehyde, making it a sustainable alternative in the production of polyurethane foams for automotive interior applications such as seats, headliners, and steering wheels.
“Automotive OEMs in Asia, especially in China and Korea, are seeking solutions to enhance vehicle interior air quality, and this new grade will help them meet the increasingly stringent regulatory standards for VOC emissions,” said Andy Postlethwaite, Senior Vice President, Performance Materials Asia Pacific, BASF. “VOCs can be effectively reduced with changes to manufacturing processes. As such, we play a key role in contributing towards environmental sustainability and health.”
Lupranol’s low VOC grade is the result of improvements made in the manufacturing process of the material. It has one of the lowest levels of aldehyde emissions – specifically formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acrolein – in polyurethane solutions available in the market for automotive applications. In the tests conducted by Center Testing International Group Co Ltd, a leading testing agency in China, the new Lupranol demonstrated a reduction in aldehyde emissions by 5-10% for formaldehyde, 30-40% for acetaldehyde and 30-40% for acrolein.
Lupranol is well-suited for automotive applications as it produces highly resilient polyurethane foams, for example Elastoflex®, with good physical properties. Compared to conventional foams, Elastoflex provides higher comfort, improved elasticity and better load bearing properties.
About BASF’s Performance Materials Division
BASF’s Performance Materials division encompasses the entire materials know-how of BASF regarding innovative, customized plastics under one roof. Globally active in four major industry sectors - transportation, construction, industrial applications and consumer goods - the division has a strong portfolio of products and services combined with a deep understanding of application-oriented system solutions. Key drivers of profitability and growth are our close collaboration with customers and a clear focus on solutions. Strong capabilities in R&D provide the basis to develop innovative products and applications. In 2015, the Performance Materials division achieved global sales of € 6.7 bn.
More information online: www.performance-materials.basf.com
About BASF
At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. The approximately 112,000 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 more than €70 billion in 2015. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (BAS). Further information at www.basf.com.
