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BASF sites across North America earn mass balance certifications
As part of BASF’s efforts to develop circular economy solutions, multiple sites across North America earned REDcert2 and ISCC PLUS mass balance certifications.
To achieve our purpose of creating chemistry for a sustainable future, it is key that we transform our value chain and reduce our dependency on fossil raw materials, driving a circular economy. The implementation of the mass balance approach is one way that BASF is leading this transition.
Mass balance allows sustainable and traditional feedstocks to be co-processed. Sustainable inputs, which replace fossil resources, can then be attributed to outputs. The mass-balanced outputs are drop-in solutions for BASF customers as they have identical properties and performance to the original products.
Biomass Balance and ChemCycling® are two programs where BASF utilizes the mass balance approach. Fossil raw materials are replaced with either renewable feedstock in the Biomass Balance approach or pyrolysis oil from plastic waste in the ChemCycling® process at the beginning of the value chain.
The certification process
An important part of mass balance is the certification of the chain of custody. We work with two highly credible, globally recognized mass balance schemes, REDcert2 and ISCC PLUS.
To successfully complete an audit, the certification body reviews the inputs, outputs and all production and warehouse sites. Key factors reviewed during the audit include:
- The amount of alternative feedstock required to produce a ton of certified product, considering input yield and conversion factors.
- Verification that the sustainable feedstock meets the scheme’s criteria.
- Validation that during the balancing period, the amount of alternative feedstock was booked to the certified product.
- Verification that the number of sustainable outputs sold did not exceed the number of sustainable inputs available during the balancing period.
These certifications ensure that a defined amount of circular or bio-based feedstock is used in BASF’s production sites in place of fossil feedstocks and that they are correctly attributed to the certified products.
Biomass Balanced and ChemCycled® products can help our customers meet their circularity and greenhouse gas emission reduction goals. As Paul Bropleh III, Sustainability Manager for BASF Care Chemicals, explains, “Mass balance ensures sustainability through transparency. Guidelines, certifications, and tools provided by organizations and industry initiatives support companies in implementing mass balance systems. While challenges exist, such as standardized methodologies and collaboration among stakeholders, the positive environmental and social impacts are driving its acceptance.”
Sites certified in 2023, 2024 and 2025
Multiple BASF sites have completed the REDcert2 and ISCC PLUS certification process, including the largest North American integrated manufacturing sites in Geismar, Louisiana and Freeport, Texas.
- Monaca, Pennsylvania: certified acrylates, particularly the Acronal MB® portfolio of architectural coatings, which was launched to the market in October 2023
- Port Arthur, Texas: certified olefins through the ChemCycling® project in North America
- Freeport, Texas: certified acrylates and polyamides
- Geismar, Louisiana: certified isocyanates, butanediol and derivatives, surfactants, and amines
- Wyandotte, Michigan: Wyandotte, MI: REDCert2 and ISCC Plus certified engineering plastics and ISCC Plus certified Ellastolan® TPU BMB.
- Sparta, Tennessee: certified engineering plastics (REDCert2)
- Altamira, Mexico: certified engineering plastics (REDCert2)
- Mauldin, South Carolina: certified amphoteric surfactants, specifically Dehyton® KE UP and Dehyton® PK 45
- Livonia, Michigan: REDCert2 certified polyurethane systems, specifically Elastoflex® 67281 Resin BMB and Elastoflex® 67281 ISO BMB.
- Pasadena, Texas: ISCC PLUS certified plasticizers, specifically Palatinol® DOTP Ccycled and Palatinol® DOTP Advantage 50
- Cornwall, Ontario: ISCC PLUS certified plasticizers, specifically Palatinol® TOTM Advantage 50 and Palatinol® TOTM-I Advantage 50
Currently, BASF has over 100 certified products in North America. These products are sold to different industries, such as automotive, furniture, apparel, personal care, construction and more.
The next steps for BASF
Mass balance brings BASF, customers, and the planet one step closer to a circular economy, and it’s gaining ground across the industry.
By incorporating these approaches into our supply chain, BASF can take an active role in the transition of the chemical industry. Additionally, as the company increases the consumption of renewable and recycled feedstocks, our consumption of fossil resources decreases.
“One of the biggest challenges in decarbonizing the chemical industry is that carbon itself is essential to produce chemicals. Mass balance allows us to begin shifting the source of carbon from fossil resources to renewable and circular materials. We, therefore, have a tremendous opportunity to make a positive impact – for our customers and the planet,” reflects Jordan Keller, Head of Renewable Carbon for North America.
Published on June 12, 2024. Updated on October 22, 2025 by Mariana Licio.
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