BASF and Swiss Krono Group present jointly developed lightweight board at Ligna 2013
- BASF's Kaurit® Light technology serves as basis for lightweight board jointly developed with Swiss Krono Group
- To be presented at timber and woodworking exhibition Ligna as part of “lightweight.network” special display in Hall 17
Ludwigshafen, Germany and Lucerne, Switzerland – A versatile and sturdy lightweight board will be presented by BASF, the world’s leading chemical company, and Swiss Krono Group, a leading European wood-based material manufacturer, at Ligna 2013. The jointly developed lightweight solution is up to 30% lighter than conventional particle board. Available from a thickness of 28 mm, it is ideal for a range of applications in furniture and interior design. Visitors to Ligna, the world's premier trade fair for the forestry and wood industries which runs from May 6-10, 2013 in Hanover, will have the chance to see the new material for themselves as part of a special presentation devoted to lightweight construction at Stand D42 in Hall 17.
The material owes its lightness to BASF's Kaurit® Light technology. Under a top layer of fine wood chips is a lightweight middle layer consisting of larger wood chips and a binder made of a foamed polymer. This construction makes the material up to 30% lighter than conventional particle board. In its raw form the particle board can be used as a basic material for furniture production and can be processed with a range of finishes. The boards can be recycled or incinerated just like conventional particle board. In fact for recycling purposes, the boards can be mixed with conventional particle board for the manufacture of standard or lightweight chipboard.
"Kaurit® Light technology is an excellent lightweight solution that offers reduced weight and high strength. For the first time, we can offer our customers an innovative and high-quality lightweight board," says Prof Dr Joachim Hasch, Managing Director of Kronopol Sp. z o.o., a subsidiary of the Swiss Krono Group based in Żary, Poland which manufactures boards with BASF's Kaurit® Light technology.
"The Kaurit® Light technology developed and patented by BASF reduces resource consumption. This means particular benefits for furniture manufacturers because the lower weight reduces transport and packaging costs," says Wolfgang Gutting, Vice President Business Management Glues & Impregnating Resins at BASF.
Ligna in Hanover is the world's premier trade fair for the forestry and wood industries, with around 1,700 exhibitors from over 40 countries showcasing their products and services. Lightweight construction is occupying a particularly important place at the event as the timber and furniture industries focus more on lightweight yet strong composite materials. BASF will be represented at Ligna 2013 with a stand forming part of the “lightweight.network” special display at Stand D42 in Hall 17.
About BASF
BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Through science and innovation, we enable our customers in nearly every industry to meet the current and future needs of society. Our products and solutions contribute to conserving resources, ensuring nutrition and improving quality of life. We have summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose: We create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF had sales of €72.1 billion in 2012 and more than 110,000 employees as of the end of the year. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.
About SWISS KRONO GROUP
With its origins in a Swiss company founded in 1966, the SWISS KRONO GROUP is now one of the world's leading manufacturers of wood-based materials with 4,500 employees. The group's owners and employees understand their responsibilities in relation to economy, quality, and the environment, and use efficient processes to produce modern, environmentally compatible products from the sustainable material of timber. Krono Holding AG is based in Lucerne, Switzerland. www.krono.com
SWISS KRONO GROUP at interzum, May 13-16, in Cologne:
Hall 06.1, Stand D070/E079.
Press contact at BASF:
Birke Pietschmann, Tel: +49 621 60 92833, Fax: +49 621 60 6692833, birke.pietschmann@basf.com
Press contact at Swiss Krono Group
Swiss Krono Group
Ul. Serbska 56
PL-68-200 Zary
Poland
Tel.:+48 683 631 305, Fax:+48 683 631 321
P-13-233