BASF introduces Integral Skin foam that meets EPA SNAP requirements

New foam system has low global warming potential, improved performance, and long-term shelf life

WYANDOTTE, MI, October 18, 2016 – BASF announced today that its SNAP (Significant New Alternatives Policy) compliant formulation of flexible polyurethane integral skin (iSkin) foam is now available. The innovative iSkin system, Elastofoam^® 38610R/3120T, uses a low global warming potential (GWP) blowing agent.  This replaces hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) blowing agents that will be placed under restriction by the EPA’s SNAP program because of their higher global warming potential. For integral skin foam, the EPA restrictions begin January 1, 2017.  

BASF’s new iSkin system offers improved durability with tensile and tear resistance of the skin increasing by at least 20 percent, while maintaining its cushioning comfort.  Shelf-life is a critical consideration for molders as consistent processing day-to-day is essential to keep scrap rates down.  BASF’s Elastofoam® 38610R/3120T system is shown to have stable   shelf-life four-months out, and longer is expected as testing continues.

“Our SNAP compliant solution delivers more than just a low global warming alternative.  We have engineered a system with improved properties,” said Jozef Venner, Business Director, Performance Materials Consumer Group, BASF.  “This combination of durability, comfort and processing makes Elastofoam^® an ideal solution for our customers in the furniture and automotive markets.”  

To learn more, click:  www.performance-materials.basf.us

®Elastofoam is a registered trademark of BASF SE.

About BASF

BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has nearly 17,500 employees in North America, and had sales of $17.4 billion in 2015. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, visit  www.basf.us.

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 (AN). Further information at www.basf.com.

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