Maintaining consistent gob temperature improves efficiency of gob forming process

ISELIN, NJ, August 23, 2007 – Working with several U.S. and international glass container manufacturers, BASF Catalysts has demonstrated significant benefits through the use of its Exactus® GT optical temperature measurement system to provide accurate gob temperature measurements. Used as either a process-monitoring tool, or part of a closed-loop control system, the Exactus® GT optical temperature measurement system has enabled superior gob temperature control resulting in:
• yield improvements of greater than 0.5 percent;
• greater than 50 percent reduction in the time required to regain stable gob temperature following a job change;
• reduction in split finish and seal surface losses.

Brent Illingworth, BASF Catalysts Applications Engineer -Temperature Sensing Products and Steve Nixon of Advanced Control Solutions, Inc., will present the benefits of combining Exactus measurement technology with model-based forehearth control at the 68th Conference on Glass Problems, October 16 -17, 2007 at Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. They will discuss how the combination of the Exactus GT system and model-based control system has been effective in maintaining consistent gob temperature, regardless of surrounding conditions.

BASF’s Exactus GT systems provide exceptional temperature detail of each and every sheared gob.
The systems provide:
• up to 1000 temperature readings per second;
• accuracy better than 2 degrees Celsius;
• stability better than 0.1 degrees Celsius per year;
• temperature variation between individual gobs;
• temperature variation within a single gob.

Exactus GT systems can be used for both closed loop control of the forehearth and as a process quality-monitoring tool. The systems have been installed in the United States, Latin America, and Europe. Several glass container companies have realized the value of the Exactus systems and have incorporated the system as a mandatory requirement for their forehearth management systems.
BASF Catalysts will display Exactus systems and other advanced temperature-sensing technologies at the Glass Problems Conference at Table Top #26 and will also hold a hospitality suite in room Buckeye 1, upstairs at the Holiday Inn on The Lane.

BASF Catalysts division is the world’s leading supplier of environmental and process catalysts. The group offers exceptional expertise in the development of technologies that protect the air we breathe, produce the fuels that power our world and ensure efficient production of a wide variety of chemicals, plastics, adsorbents and other products.

BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products, agricultural products and fine chemicals to crude oil and natural gas. As a reliable partner to virtually all industries, BASF’s high-value products and intelligent system solutions help its customers to be more successful. BASF develops new technologies and uses them to meet the challenges of the future and open up additional market opportunities. It combines economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility, thus contributing to a better future. BASF has approximately 95,000 employees and posted sales of €52.6 billion in 2006. BASF shares are currently traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA), New York (BF) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.