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BASF Wyandotte facility earns Operation Clean Sweep Blue Verification for helping protect the environment from plastic
- Only the second site in Michigan to secure recognition
- OCS is a globally recognized milestone for preventing plastic resin loss
WYANDOTTE, MI, January 27, 2026 – BASF’s Wyandotte facility has earned a significant environmental recognition for its efforts to reduce and manage the loss of plastic resins from operations.
The facility has achieved Operation Clean Sweep® (OCS) Blue Verification, a globally recognized milestone for strengthening practices that help prevent plastic resin loss.
Operation Clean Sweep is a resin stewardship program jointly administered by the Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) and the American Chemistry Council’s (ACC) Plastics Division. Through OCS Blue Verification, OCS identifies facilities that have undergone a verification inspection and demonstrated the successful implementation of more than 25 OCS Blue management practices. These management practices include implementing procedures to minimize pellet, flake, and powder loss throughout operations.
The Wyandotte facility is the second facility in Michigan to qualify for this distinction.
“We’re proud to lead the way in reducing the potential for plastic loss from our operations,” said Michele Barney, Wyandotte Site Director, BASF Performance Materials Division. “This achievement contributes to protecting local waterways and wildlife while demonstrating BASF’s leadership in sustainability within our community and across the industry. The OCS recognition also reflects our proactive approach to safety and environmental protection and our ongoing commitment to minimizing resin loss.”
To earn this verification, BASF Wyandotte implemented several key measures, including:
- Regular training and onboarding on resin handling, loss prevention, and containment
- Written procedures and checklists to identify risks and manage plastic resins during the manufacturing process
- Education and engagement with transportation partners
“Achieving OCS Blue Verification is a strong signal of BASF’s significant leadership on resin loss prevention,” said Patrick Krieger, Senior Vice President, Sustainability & Policy at Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS). “Wyandotte’s distinction reflects the discipline and commitment of BASF’s team to prevent resin loss and protect the environment.”
All verified facilities are listed in the OCS Verified Facility Registry on the OCS website which can be found at the following link: Home - Operation Clean Sweep.
About BASF’s Performance Materials Division
BASF’s Performance Materials division leads the transformation of the plastics industry by merging sustainability with a competitive edge. Our broad material competencies and product portfolio, backed by deep industry knowledge and understanding, make us the ideal one-stop-shop. With dedicated material-focused teams and strong R&D power, we constantly deliver industry-leading technologies and expertise to our customers worldwide. Our global network ensures a competitive advantage through superior innovations, regional proximity, and tailor-made solutions that meet local market demands. We are committed to enhancing performance and efficiency across sectors such as automotive, consumer goods, industrial applications, and construction. With BASF, our partners embark on #OurPlasticsJourney towards a more circular and sustainable future. In 2024, the Performance Materials division achieved global sales of €6.8 billion. Join #OurPlasticsJourney on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/basf-performance-materials/ and in our newsletter https://plastics-rubber.basf.com/global/en/performance_polymers/plastics-journey-newsletter
About BASF
BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has approximately 16,000 employees in North America and had sales of $19.7 billion in 2024. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, visit www.basf.com/us. At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. Our ambition: We want to be the preferred chemical company to enable our customers’ green transformation. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Around 112,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio comprises, as core businesses, the segments Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, and Nutrition & Care; our standalone businesses are bundled in the segments Surface Technologies and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €65.3 billion in 2024. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the United States. Further information at www.basf.com.
About the Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS)
The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) supports the entire plastics supply chain, including Equipment Suppliers, Material Suppliers, Processors, and Recyclers, representing over one million workers in our $551 billion U.S. industry. PLASTICS advances the priorities of our members who are dedicated to investing in technologies that improve capabilities and advances in recycling and sustainability and providing essential products that allow for the protection and safety of our lives. Since 1937, PLASTICS has been working to make its members, and the eighth largest U.S. manufacturing industry, more globally competitive while supporting circularity through educational initiatives, industry-leading insights and events, convening opportunities and policy advocacy, including the largest plastics trade show in the Americas, NPE: The Plastics Show.
About the American Chemistry Council
The American Chemistry Council’s Plastics Division represents America’s Plastic MakersSM and the hundreds of thousands of scientists, engineers and technicians who develop plastics essential to modern life. From healthcare and clean energy to transportation and safe food and water, plastics drive innovation and strengthen the U.S. economy by supporting key industries and creating well-paying jobs. Companies are investing billions annually in U.S. production and recycling, advancing manufacturing and efficiency across economic sectors. We envision a future where all plastic products are reused or recycled, conserving resources and creating a cleaner, safer and more resilient world.
