Россия
BASF at interzum 2009 in Cologne
- BASF presents innovative Kaurit® Light technology for lightweight construction
Ludwigshafen, Germany – May 8, 2009 – At interzum 2009, BASF will be presenting an innovation in lightweight construction: Kaurit® Light. This new technology makes it possible to manufacture wood-based panels that are 30% lighter than conventional panels. From May 12 to 16, BASF experts will be joining forces with cooperation partner Nolte Holzwerkstoffe to introduce visitors to the benefits of the innovative material at stand D051 in Hall 6.1.
Kaurit® Light for lightweight new wood-based materials
Wood-based boards made with Kaurit® Light technology consists of wood chips, a plastic (Kaurit® Light) and a binder (Kaurit® glue). Before being added to the wood chips, Kaurit® Light is foamed in a so-called pre-foamer. The addition of the foamed plastic to the middle layer of the board reduces the weight by 30%, yet the material can still be manufactured with the usual equipment. Moreover, the existing machines and materials can be used during further processing.
From the idea to the market launch
Development work on the lightweight new material began in 2005, in the laboratories at BASF SE. Before long, in 2007, it was possible to start industrial testing with Nolte Holzwerkstoffe GmbH from Germersheim. Just a year later Nolte launched the first panels made with Kaurit® Light under the name Rheinspan® AirMaxx®. BASF anticipates that Kaurit® Light panels have the potential in many applications to replace conventional particle board in the medium term. As kitchen countertops, the new material has already been selling extremely well since its market launch in 2008.
Good marks for sustainability
Panels manufactured with Kaurit® Light went through an eco-efficiency analysis. The outcome of this special method, developed by BASF and tested and verified by TÜV, is that the new material is just as eco-efficient as conventional chipboard. The entire lifecycle of the material was analyzed, from production and transport to usage and disposal. The categories under consideration include energy and raw material consumption, emissions, land use, and toxicity and risk potential. The new material harbors great potential for further eco-efficiency enhancements. This will be a key area of interest in further research work on Kaurit® Light.
If you would like to find out more about Kaurit® Light, you can also visit us at Ligna in Hanover from May 18 to 22, 2009, at stand F23 in Hall 17.
About Inorganics
The Inorganics Division develops and manufactures one of the broadest portfolios of inorganic chemicals, products mainly based on natural gas and metal compounds worldwide. It supplies customers, e.g. from the construction, pharmaceutical, food or wood working industry. Its product portfolio ranges from inorganic basic chemicals such as sulfuric or nitric acids to inorganic salts like ammonium bicarbonate, specialties such as boranes and carbonyl iron powder, glues and impregnating resins, electronic chemicals and fertilizers. The Inorganics Division employs about 3000 people at sites in Europe, Asia and the USA. Further information on the Inorganics Division is available on www.basf.com/inorganics.
About BASF
BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics and performance products to agricultural products, fine chemicals and oil and gas. As a reliable partner BASF helps its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF posted sales of more than €62 billion in 2008 and had approximately 97,000 employees as of the end of the year. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.
P-09-237