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BASF has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Zhejiang REEF Technology Co., Ltd. to develop state-of-the-art recyclate formulations for applications used in the automotive, packaging and consumer industries.

  • BASF to supply its new IrgaCycle™ additive solutions to REEF Technology
  • Builds on extensive know-how in the plastics industry

Under the agreement, BASF will provide its recently launched IrgaCycle additive solutions along with technical consultancy and support for recycled polymer formulations conducted at BASF’s test facilities.

“Our goal is to help deliver higher quality, safer and more effective products while supporting the plastic circular economy and helping reduce the use of virgin plastic material,” says Hermann Althoff, Senior Vice President, Performance Chemicals Asia Pacific. “In this way, we support our customers and partners to achieve their sustainability targets and create sustainable innovations together.”

“We wanted to partner with a world-class manufacturer of plastic additives like BASF to improve the quality of our recyclates,” says Shirley Wu, General Manager, REEF. “With its in-depth expertise in plastic additives, BASF supports us in this core area by improving the processing and long-term stability of highly contaminated recycled plastic fractions.”

The new IrgaCycle™ solutions improve the processing and long-term stability of recycled plastics fractions strongly contaminated with paint, ink or adhesive residues, e.g. exterior automotive parts (bumpers).The new IrgaCycle™ solutions improve the processing and long-term stability of recycled plastics fractions strongly contaminated with paint, ink or adhesive residues, e.g. exterior automotive parts (bumpers).

IrgaCycle™ additive solutions help to increase the percentage of mechanically recycled content in several end-use applications such as packaging, automotive & mobility, and building and construction. These solutions address specific quality issues associated with recycled resins, such as limited processability, poor long-term thermal stability and insufficient protection from outdoor weathering.

The IrgaCycle range is offered as part of the VALERAS portfolio. In addition to enabling plastics circularity with IrgaCycle, VALERAS solutions bring significant sustainability value to plastic applications by improving durability, reducing waste, saving energy, reducing emissions, and promoting biodiversity.

Zhejiang REEF Technology Co., Ltd. is a subsidiary of Veolia Huafei Polymer Technology (Zhejiang) Co., Ltd., a joint venture company of the French Veolia Group in China. It focuses on the R&D and production of high-end engineering plastic modified materials. REEF’s core products include recycled polypropylene, high density polyethylene, ABS, and polyamide.

About BASF Plastic Additives

BASF is a leading supplier, manufacturer, and innovation partner of plastic additives. Its comprehensive and innovative product portfolio includes additives which provide ease in processing, heat and light resistance to a variety of polymers and applications including molded articles, films, fibers, sheets and extruded profiles. The portfolio is constantly analyzed, assessed and actively improved towards solutions which make a larger contribution to sustainability. More information about plastic additives: www.plasticadditives.basf.com.

BASF plastic additives is part of BASF’s Performance Chemicals division. The division’s portfolio also includes fuel and lubricant solutions, kaolin minerals, as well as oilfield chemicals and mining solutions. Customers from a variety of industries including Chemicals, Plastics, Consumer Goods, Energy & Resources and Automotive & Transportation benefit from our innovative solutions. To learn more, visit www.performancechemicals.basf.com

About BASF

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Around 111,000 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 six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €78.6 billion in 2021. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the U.S. Further information at www.basf.com.

Published in Materials
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BASF builds a new world-scale production plant for alkylethanolamines at the Verbund site in Antwerp, Belgium. After the planned start-up in 2024, the company will increase the global annual production capacity of its alkylethanolamines portfolio containing, amongst others, dimethylethanolamines (DMEOA) and methyldiethanolamines (MDEOA) by nearly 30 percent to more than 140,000 metric tons per year. With a high degree of local backward integration, BASF ensures a reliable and sustainable production of alkylethanolamines. With production facilities for this portfolio at its sites in Ludwigshafen, Germany; Antwerp, Belgium; Geismar, Louisiana and Nanjing, China, BASF is one of the world’s leading producers of alkylethanolamines.

  • Increase of BASF’s global alkylethanolamines capacity to 140,000 metric tons per year
  • Growing customer demand for versatile intermediate products

“We see a continuing, growing demand for alkylethanolamines in a broad range of industries such as water treatment, detergents and gas treatment over the next years. The investment in Antwerp will have a positive effect on the available capacity for alkylalkanolamines in BASF’s amines Verbund, therefore supporting our continued ambition to provide products for our customers’ growth,” said Dr. Frank Stein, Regional Business Unit Europe of BASF’s Intermediates division, adding: “This is our clear commitment as one of the globally leading amines producers.”

  Verbund Site Antwerp, Belgium  BASF Group's second most important production center is located in Antwerp, in the north of Belgium. The Verbund site is directly connected to the North Sea, the Port of Antwerp and the European hinterland. BASF Antwerp is about six square kilometers large and includes around 50 plants, bundled into 15 integrated production clusters. Verbund Site Antwerp, Belgium BASF Group's second most important production center is located in Antwerp, in the north of Belgium. The Verbund site is directly connected to the North Sea, the Port of Antwerp and the European hinterland. BASF Antwerp is about six square kilometers large and includes around 50 plants, bundled into 15 integrated production clusters.

The versatile alkylethanolamines are mainly used as precursors for flocculants applied in water treatment and in the coatings industry where they act as binders between pigments and resins. Other applications include gas treatment, fabric softeners, in additives for metalworking fluids and polyurethanes.

With about 300 different amines, BASF has the world’s most diverse portfolio of this type of chemical intermediates. Along with alkyl-, alkanol- and alkoxyalkylamines, the company offers heterocyclic and aromatic as well as specialty amines. The range is completed by an expanding portfolio of chiral amines of high optical and chemical purity. The versatile products are used mainly to manufacture process chemicals, pharmaceuticals and crop protection products, as well as cosmetic products and detergents. They also serve to produce coatings, special plastics, composites and special fibers.

About BASF Intermediates

The BASF Group’s Intermediates division develops, produces and markets a comprehensive portfolio of more than 600 intermediates around the world. Its most important product groups include amines, diols, polyalcohols, acids and specialties. Intermediates are for example used as precursors for coatings, plastics, pharmaceuticals, textiles, detergents and crop protectants. Innovative intermediates from BASF help to improve both the properties of final products and the efficiency of production processes. The ISO 9001 certified Intermediates division operates plants at production sites in Europe, Asia and North America. Around the globe the division generated sales to third parties of about €3,9 billion in 2021. For more information, go to www.intermediates.basf.com

About BASF

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Around 111,000 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 six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €78.6 billion in 2021. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the U.S. Further information at www.basf.com.

Published in Chemicals
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BASF Group significantly increased sales and earnings in the 2021 business year. “It was a strong and successful year for BASF,” said Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors, Dr. Martin Brudermüller, who presented the BASF Report 2021 together with Chief Financial Officer Dr. Hans-Ulrich Engel.

  • Sales: €78.6 billion (plus 33 percent)
  • EBIT before special items: €7.8 billion (plus 118 percent)
  • Cash flows from operating activities: €7.2 billion (plus 34 percent);
  • Free cash flow: €3.7 billion (plus 63 percent)
  • Proposed dividend of €3.40 per share for the 2021 business year
  • (2020: €3.30 per share)

Outlook 2022:

  • Sales of between €74 billion and €77 billion expected
  • EBIT before special items of between €6.6 billion and €7.2 billion expected
  • ROCE projected to be between 11.4 percent and 12.6 percent
  • Anticipated CO2 emissions of between 19.6 million metric tons and 20.6 million metric tons

“We increased sales prices by 25 percent and volumes by 11 percent. All segments achieved price and volume growth in 2021,” said Brudermüller. BASF Group’s sales amounted to €78.6 billion in 2021, 33 percent higher than in the previous year.

2014 08 15 071746 basf red logoEBITDA before special items of €11.3 billion in 2021 was higher by €3.9 billion and EBITDA of €11.4 billion exceeded the prior-year figure by €4.9 billion.

At €7.8 billion, income from operations (EBIT) before special items more than doubled compared with 2020. This represented an increase of 67 percent compared with the pre-pandemic level in 2019. BASF’s positive earnings development was mainly driven by the Chemicals and Materials segments. The Surface Technologies and Industrial Solutions segments also contributed considerably to the strong recovery.

Return on capital employed (ROCE) was 13.5 percent, after 1.7 percent in the previous year, and was significantly above the cost of capital rate of 9 percent. The increase in ROCE resulted mainly from the higher EBIT of €7.7 billion in 2021, which was considerably above the prior-year level.

Additional costs due to rising energy prices in Europe

BASF’s automotive-related businesses continued to be negatively impacted by the semiconductor shortage. In 2021 and particularly in the fourth quarter, higher raw materials prices and increased energy and logistics costs also burdened the earnings development in all segments. For BASF’s European sites, the additional costs due to further increased natural gas prices in 2021 amounted to around €1.5 billion. The fourth quarter of 2021 alone accounted for €0.8 billion of this amount.

Brudermüller announced: “We will implement further substantial price increases in the coming months to pass on the significantly higher costs and improve our margins in the downstream businesses.” The established pricing procedures in these businesses lead to a delay in passing on costs.

BASF Group’s cash flow in full year 2021 and fourth quarter 2021

Cash flows from operating activities in 2021 amounted to €7.2 billion, compared with €5.4 billion in the previous year. The considerable increase was primarily due to the improvement in net income, which came in at €5.5 billion. Free cash flow increased to €3.7 billion in 2021 from €2.3 billion in the previous year.

In the fourth quarter of 2021, cash flows from operating activities increased by €1.2 billion to €3.3 billion. Free cash flow came in at €1.8 billion, an increase of 84 percent compared with the fourth quarter of 2020.

Sales and earnings development of BASF Group in fourth quarter 2021

BASF Group’s sales in the fourth quarter of 2021 rose by 24 percent versus the prior-year quarter to reach €19.8 billion. “Despite the comparison with the strong prior-year quarter, BASF was able to increase volumes in all segments except for Materials in the fourth quarter of 2021,” said Chief Financial Officer Engel.

EBITDA before special items increased by around €100 million to €2.2 billion. EBITDA amounted to €2.3 billion, compared with €2.0 billion in the fourth quarter of 2020.

EBIT before special items was €1.2 billion, compared with €1.1 billion in the fourth quarter of 2020. EBIT came in at €1.2 billion in the fourth quarter of 2021, compared with €932 million in the fourth quarter of 2020.

Proposed dividend of €3.40 per share

At BASF’s Annual Shareholders’ Meeting this year, the Board of Executive Directors and the Supervisory Board will propose to pay a dividend of €3.40 per share, an increase of 10 cents. In total, BASF would pay out €3.1 billion based on the number of shares at the end of the year. “With our dividend proposal, the BASF share offers an attractive dividend yield of 5.5 percent based on the share price at the end of 2021,” Brudermüller said.

Achievement of nonfinancial goals

BASF aims to reduce its absolute CO2 emissions by 25 percent by 2030 compared with the baseline 2018. In 2021, the CO2 emissions amounted to 20.2 million metric tons – a decrease from the 20.8 million metric tons emitted in 2020. “This decline is remarkable given the strong growth in volumes,” said Brudermüller.

Much earlier than planned, BASF achieved its target of €22 billion in sales by 2025 with products that make a substantial sustainability contribution in the value chain. Sales of these Accelerator products amounted to €24.1 billion in 2021. “We will therefore adjust this portfolio steering target in the course of 2022,” Brudermüller said.

Investments in growth projects

BASF’s planned capital expenditures of €25.6 billion between 2022 and 2026 are €2.7 billion higher than in the previous planning period from 2021 to 2025. “The main reasons for this are our two major growth projects: the new Verbund site in Zhanjiang and our battery materials activities,” said Hans-Ulrich Engel. “These two projects are key to drive BASF’s future growth,” he added.

Investments in BASF’s existing business remain stable at an average level of €2.6 billion per year. Engel announced BASF would be very disciplined with the investments required to maintain and profitably grow these businesses. “This will enable us to fund the growth projects with an average of also roughly €2.6 billion per year. Capex for our growth projects will peak in 2024,” said Engel. For 2022, BASF plans total capital expenditures of €4.6 billion, compared with €3.4 billion in 2021. The annual budget for research and development activities amounts to around €2.1 billion.

BASF Group outlook for 2022

“We have had a very strong start to the year, with January 2022 figures above the prior-year month,” said Martin Brudermüller looking ahead to the current business year.

BASF expects global economic growth of 3.8 percent to be somewhat more moderate in 2022 following the very strong recovery in 2021. “As order backlogs in industry are high, we expect global industrial production to grow by 3.8 percent and chemical production by 3.5 percent,” Brudermüller said. BASF anticipates an average oil price of $75 for a barrel of Brent crude and an exchange rate of $1.15 per euro.

Based on these assumptions, BASF is forecasting sales of between €74 billion and €77 billion for 2022. The company expects the BASF Group’s income from operations (EBIT) before special items to be between €6.6 billion and €7.2 billion. ROCE should be between 11.4 percent and 12.6 percent. CO2 emissions are expected to be between 19.6 million metric tons and 20.6 million metric tons in 2022.

BASF’s forecast ranges take into account uncertainty resulting in particular from the effects of ongoing supply chain disruptions, the further course of the coronavirus pandemic and the development of energy prices.

About BASF

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Around 111,000 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 six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €78.6 billion in 2021. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the U.S. Further information at www.basf.com.

Published in Chemicals
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trinamiX Face Authentication is the world’s first to fulfill highest biometric security demands while the hardware is invisibly mounted behind an OLED display. The solution was lately put to the thorough test of accredited assessment institutes. It was certified to be spoof-proof behind OLED according to the top standards defined by AndroidTM and FIDO® Alliance. trinamiX GmbH, a German subsidiary of BASF SE, is thus taking a further step towards creating the next generation of biometric authentication for smartphones.

  • The first face authentication to pass Android Biometric Security Test and FIDO Biometric Component Certification, while the hardware is mounted behind an OLED display
  • Solution officially approved for integration into Android phones as well as for use in particularly sensitive applications

Thanks to biometrics, user authentication today is as easy as looking at your smartphone’s screen to unlock it. The unmatched convenience of biometric solutions, especially compared to passwords or PINs, has made them increasingly popular. Still, these systems can be fooled by simply using a three-dimensional replica of someone’s face or finger. Biometric authentication is often not yet sufficient to meet the industry’s high security demands. trinamiX has launched a unique face authentication solution that is now certified to meet them – and to even go beyond.

A unique liveness check based on skin detection

trinamiX adds a unique dimension to face authentication: skin detection. Their technology reliably detects skin versus other materials while verifying a user’s identity in order to tell whether the object in front of the camera is an actual human-being. In that regard, it functions as a new way to check for liveness without any active user contribution. Acknowledging the value of their breakthrough, trinamiX has already patented the underlying technology Beam Profile Analysis. “We aim to create a future, in which sensitive user information is protected by reliable and convenient authentication steps,” says Stefan Metz, Director 3D Imaging Business at trinamiX. “This is where we see huge potential in facial biometrics – if smartphone manufacturers are able to close the security gaps that common technologies still have. At trinamiX we have found a way to provide that next-generation technology.”

To give proof of its higher security, trinamiX has put their technology to the test of accredited assessment institutes. Over a period of several months, it has undergone thousands of spoof attempts including the use of silicone masks with accurate three-dimensional shape. As a result, their face authentication solution has successfully been certified as spoof-proof (Spoof Acceptance Rate = 0 %) according to Android Biometric Class 3 (strong). It furthermore showed to fulfill the high requirements of FIDO Level C – the alliance’s soon-to-be top standard. Based on these assessments, trinamiX Face Authentication is officially approved for integration into Android phones as well as for use in sensitive applications like mobile payment. As the world’s first face authentication solution, it passed all biometric security tests while the hardware was mounted behind an OLED display.

  trinamiX Face Authentication – certified to meet highest security standards behind OLED  trinamiX’ solution is able to detect skin and can thus reliably differentiate between a lifelike silicone mask and the real user. trinamiX Face Authentication – certified to meet highest security standards behind OLED trinamiX’ solution is able to detect skin and can thus reliably differentiate between a lifelike silicone mask and the real user.

Combining both worlds: security and user experience

By integrating their solution behind OLED, trinamiX has unlocked a new freedom of design. It enables smartphone companies to create products with best user experience – while reliably protecting their users’ personal data. “Our goal is to give smartphone brands a greater freedom of design and to allow for sleek, maximum display designs,” says Metz. “We made our authentication solution work behind OLED and thereby finally erase the need for a notch.” While full-screen displays are smartphone industry’s ongoing trend, they typically impair the functionality of common face authentication. trinamiX found a way to solve these challenges: With their latest certifications, they prove to combine best user experience with highest security.

For more information visit https://trinamixsensing.com/3d-imaging/smartphone

Futher details on mentioned certifications

trinamiX Face Authentication was tested according to the FIDO Alliance Biometric Component Certification Program and the Android Biometric Security Test. It passed each of them with the highest possible rating, while the hardware (camera, dot projector, flood illuminator) was integrated behind OLED.  

To be considered compatible with Android, device implementations must meet their specific security requirements. The Android Biometric Security defines three classes of biometric strength: Class 3 (Strong), Class 2 (Weak), and Class 1 (Convenience). trinamiX Face Authentication was rated Class 3 based on, besides other criteria, the Spoof Acceptance Rate of 0 %.

Source: https://source.android.com/security/biometric/measure

The FIDO Alliance Biometric Component Certification was established globally to set a standard for biometric authentication methods. Their standard provides the means to make biometric security measurable and comparable – especially in accordance with the payment requirements of international financial ecosystem standards. trinamiX Face Authentication was tested in accordance with the requirements of soon-to-be top standard FIDO Level C.

Source: https://fidoalliance.org/certification/biometric-component-certification/

Android is a trademark of Google LLC. | FIDO® is a trademark (registered in numerous countries) of FIDO Alliance, Inc.

Published in Technology News
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NGK INSULATORS, LTD. (“NGK”) announced that the NAS® batteries, which NGK supplied to German chemical group BASF has started operation at BASF’s Antwerp Verbund site (Belgium).

NAS batteries, which has maximum 1,000kW-dc power and 5,800kWh-dc dischargeable energy and consists of four sets of containerized NAS batteries, were ordered by BASF New Business GmbH (“BNB”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of German chemical group BASF. The NAS batteries has been connected to the electricity grid at BASF’s Verbund site in Antwerp, Belgium and has started operation in September 2021. This is the first installation of NAS batteries in BASF’s facility.

In 2019, NGK and BNB entered into sales partnership agreement for NAS battery and a joint development agreement for next-generation sodium-sulfur batteries. Since then, NGK has been cooperating with BNB by combining NGK’s expertise in battery design, production with BNB’s outstanding chemistry know-how to market and further develop NAS battery. This project aims at developing optimum business models by BNB’s gaining direct experience in long-term operations of own NAS battery system, learning diverse benefits from the viewpoint of user and examining various use cases. This enables NGK and BNB to advise the customers even more comprehensively in the planning and implementation of their projects and to collect beneficial data for further development.

2021 10 20 104208

In its Mid-to Long-term vision “NGK group vision: Road to 2050” formulated in April 2021, NGK identified carbon neutrality as one of its priority social issues. NGK has installed NAS batteries in over 200 locations worldwide, they are used in a variety of applications, including stabilizing renewable energy, and building smart grids. NGK, contributes to the development of renewable energy, reduce environmental load, and realize carbon neutrality, through further sales expansion of NAS batteries.

<Overview of NAS batteries which started operations>

Installed place              : BASF’s Antwerp Verbund site (Belgium)
Rated power                 : 1,000kW-dc (maximum power)
Dischargeable energy : 5,800kWh-dc (at beginning of life)
Configuration               : four sets of containerized NAS batteries
Operation start            : September 30, 2021

NAS Batteries installed in BASF’s Antwerp Verbund site

■BASF and NGK enter into sales partnership agreement for NAS battery
https://www.ngk-insulators.com...
■BASF and NGK to partner on developing the next generation of sodium-sulfur batteries
https://www.ngk-insulators.com...
■NGK Group Vision
https://www.ngk-insulators.com/en/info...

About BASF New Business

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. Also contributing to this corporate purpose is BASF New Business GmbH (BNB), a subsidiary of BASF. The task of BNB is to support the growth targets of BASF by identifying and generating new businesses which are beyond the core business of BASF group but within target portfolio of BASF. BNB is primarily active in arising markets with higher-than-average growth rates. In addition to its head office in Ludwigshafen, Germany, BNB has offices in Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, Taiwan and the United States. Founded in 2001, BNB utilizes startup-like structures and methods as well as an extensive internal and external collaboration network. It works closely with future customers to build-up and expand new businesses.
BNB includes the unit Foresight & Scouting as well as Chemovator GmbH, a wholly owned BNB subsidiary based in Mannheim, Germany, which serves as BASF’s internal incubator, offering a protected space for all employees to accelerate speed-to-market for innovative business ideas. In addition, BNB currently has three Business Build-Up units: 3D printing (in the form of wholly owned BNB subsidiary BASF 3D Printing Solutions GmbH), E-Power Management and Functional Feed Additives.
The activities of BNB are complemented by BASF Venture Capital GmbH (BVC). BVC’s goal is to generate new growth potential for current and future business areas of BASF by investing in young companies and funds.
More information about BASF New Business GmbH can be found at:
www.basf-new-business.com.

About BASF

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. The approximately 110,000 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 six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of around €59 billion in 2020. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the U.S. Further information at www.basf.com.

Published in Technology News
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With a patent pending BASF technology it is now possible to produce marbled serial components made of Ultrason® using a standard injection molding process. The coloring technique opens up virtually unlimited possibilities for designers to use BASF's polyarylethersulfone to color household appliances, catering bowls and containers as well as visible components. For the first time, surface effects such as color shades, color streaks and patterns can be reproduced: Injection-molded parts of one series look alike but are not completely identical. The technique has proven to be successful with the two injection-molding grades Ultrason® E (PESU: polyethersulfone) and Ultrason® P (PPSU: polyphenylsulfone) for the production of one-of-a-kind parts, which at the same time benefit from the outstanding properties of Ultrason® in terms of mechanical, thermal and chemical resistance as well as approval for food contact.

  • Now possible for the first time: reproducible marbling patterns for unique serial production
  • BASF’s polyarylethersulfone offers unlimited color possibilities for household appliances, catering bowls and containers as well as visible parts
  • Marbled bowls showcased at Fakuma 2021, Friedrichshafen, Germany

The new process, which was developed at BASF's pilot plant for injection molding and extrusion in Ludwigshafen, makes it possible to produce marbled molded parts on conventional injection molding machines more easily and with a greater degree of process reliability than before, using new types of nozzle inserts and a special dosing technique. With its lightly honey-colored tint, Ultrason® granules are suitable for light shades and tints as well as abstract patterns by solid coloring that look like natural materials such as wood or marble. "Marble effects have always been an eye-catcher in the plastics world," says Georg Graessel from global Ultrason® business development at BASF. "Until now, these effects were only possible with complex two-component injection molding and did not guarantee reproducibility. With marbling, we are adding another way of coloring to the already versatile design possibilities of Ultrason®. With appropriate temperature control of the injection molding machine, attractive, high-contrast patterns are possible for our P and E injection molding grades. So far, our customers have been able to mold transparent, translucent, and, of course, solid-colored components from Ultrason®."

Marbled components made of Ultrason® can be used in a variety of ways: in household articles such as bowls, cups, plates, and catering utensils, also for microwave usage. Additionally, marbling effects can be applied to eyeglass frames, handles as well as visible components of electrical and electronic appliances, decorative panels and covers. These applications benefit from the excellent properties of BASF’s polyarylethersulfone: steam resistance up to 180°C, excellent strength and toughness over a wide temperature range, very good resistance to industrial cleaning agents, and repeated sterilization. Ultrason® also has the relevant food approvals for the EU and the USA.

Marbled serial components made of Ultrason® using a standard injection molding process: The news coloring technique enables designers to use BASF's polyarylethersulfone to color household appliances, catering bowls and containers as well as visible components with marbling effects. Photo: BASF 2021Marbled serial components made of Ultrason® using a standard injection molding process: The news coloring technique enables designers to use BASF's polyarylethersulfone to color household appliances, catering bowls and containers as well as visible components with marbling effects. Photo: BASF 2021

Marbling according to the BASF process is possible on conventional injection molding machines equipped with only one plasticizing unit and an open nozzle. The pre-colored base material and the high-contrast color masterbatch must be fed synchronously to the injection-molding cycle. The patterns in the molded part are then achieved by separating and merging the melt streams. This is done with nozzle inserts, which are manufactured by 3D printing. These inserts offer great design freedom: not only mirror-image patterns can be created but also rotationally symmetrical patterns. This has not been possible with conventional processes to date. Other factors influencing the pattern design are the nozzle design itself, the mold's gating system, the location of the gate, and the flow behavior of the melt during mold filling. In addition to PESU and PPSU, the new BASF technique is also suitable for Ultrason® S and other thermoplastics.

Ultrason® is the trade name for BASF’s product range of polyethersulfone (Ultrason® E), polysulfone (Ultrason® S) and polyphenylsulfone (Ultrason® P). The high-performance material is used to manufacture lightweight components in the electronics, automotive and aerospace industries as well as in water filtration membranes and in parts that come into contact with hot water and food. Because of their extraordinary property profile the Ultrason® grades can substitute thermosets, metals and ceramics in many applications.

For more information: www.ultrason.basf.com

About BASF’s Performance Materials division

BASF’s Performance Materials division encompasses the entire materials’ know-how of BASF regarding innovative, customized plastics under one roof. Globally active in four major industry sectors – transportation, construction, industrial applications and consumer goods – the division has a strong portfolio of products and services combined with deep understanding of application-oriented system solutions. Key drivers of profitability and growth are our close collaboration with customers and a clear focus on solutions. Strong capabilities in R&D provide the basis to develop innovative products and applications. In 2020, the Performance Materials division achieved global sales of €5.63 billion. More information online: www.plastics.basf.com.

About BASF

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. More than 110,000 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 is organized into six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €59 billion in 2020. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the U.S. Further information at www.basf.com.

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Tecnocap, an Italian-based global metal packaging manufacturer, utilizes BASF’s non-phthalate plasticizer Hexamoll® DINCH BMB for sealing gaskets inside its metal closures. Sealing gaskets ensure leak-proof containers, protect products from contaminants and preserve product quality throughout a long shelf-life. The metal closures of Tecnocap are used by some of the biggest consumer brands in food, baby food and beverage packaging worldwide. 

  • BASF’s trusted non-phthalate plasticizer based on renewable raw materials contributes to saving fossil resources and carbon emissions
  • Tecnocap’s proven closure quality remains and ensures a superior sealing performance in this sensitive food-contact application

Tecnocap is strongly committed to pioneering innovative and sustainable packaging solutions. Specialized teams work together with suppliers and the world’s best-known consumer brands to improve existing products and reach sustainability targets. To meet customer expectations for transparency and sustainability, the company has chosen BASF’s biomass balanced plasticizer Hexamoll® DINCH BMB.

“Working together with customers and suppliers like BASF to enhance packaging sustainability credentials is a strategic focus for us. With the introduction of the Life Cycle Assessment approach and obtaining an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), we can measure the environmental impacts of metal closures and reduce their impact according to our Sustainability Action Plan, which aims at considerably reducing the CO2 emissions by 2030,” says Michelangelo Morlicchio, CEO and President at Tecnocap Group. He adds: “This initiative is in tune with consumer trends and reflects our commitment to manufacturing more responsible packaging solutions.”

Metal closures for glass jars, for e.g. baby food, contain a sealing insert. This ensures that the vacuum remains inside the glass, which is crucial to guarantee the minimum shelf life of the contained product. Tecnocap uses Hexamoll® DINCH BMB in their sealing inserts.Metal closures for glass jars, for e.g. baby food, contain a sealing insert. This ensures that the vacuum remains inside the glass, which is crucial to guarantee the minimum shelf life of the contained product. Tecnocap uses Hexamoll® DINCH BMB in their sealing inserts.

Using Hexamoll® DINCH BMB contributes to this ambitious sustainability target as the plasticizer has a lower carbon footprint compared to the regular plasticizer and helps to save fossil resources. In the production of Hexamoll® DINCH BMB, BASF uses bio-naphtha or biogas instead of fossil resources. These materials are derived from organic waste or vegetable oils. As the renewable raw materials are processed together with conventional feedstock in BASF’s existing efficient production network, the renewable material is allocated to the final product according to the biomass balance approach (BMB). Both the allocation process and the product itself, are certified by independent auditors according to the RedCert2 standard. The specifications and technical properties are identical to those of the conventional plasticizer. Therefore, the proven product quality of Tecnocap’s metal closures remains and a superior sealing performance is ensured.

Wolfgang Bien, Vice President of Industrial Petrochemicals Europe at BASF explains: “We as BASF share Tecnocap’s commitment to sustainability and are currently implementing numerous measures to reach our goal of becoming climate-neutral by 2050. The biomass balance approach is one pillar of our carbon management program, which has a major impact on CO2 emissions and the saving of fossil resources. Both aspects are crucial to overcome the climate challenges of today. Therefore, we are pleased to partner with Tecnocap.”

About BASF

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. More than 110,000 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 is organized into six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €59 billion in 2020. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the U.S. Further information at www.basf.com.

About BASF’s Petrochemicals division

The Petrochemicals division is the starting point for BASF’s petrochemical-based value chains globally. We operate a highly competitive asset base with best-in-class technologies and set the benchmark in safety, sustainability, operational excellence and cost competitiveness. With six interconnected sites and several major production sites, we are close to our customers and present in the largest chemical markets worldwide. The division supplies various value chains across the company and a broad range of customer industries with high-quality chemicals, putting our customers in the center of everything we do and contributing to the organic volume growth of BASF. Our portfolio includes cracker products, industrial gases, acrylics, superabsorbent polymers, styrenic foams, alkylene oxides, glycols, alcohols, solvents and plasticizers. In 2020, the Petrochemicals division generated sales to third parties of about €5.4 billion. Further information is available online at www.petrochemicals.basf.com.

About Tecnocap

Tecnocap is a global metal packaging manufacturer, specialized in metal closures for glass jars and plastic containers. Here, they are the third biggest producer of closures for food, baby food and beverage packaging. The Group is also emerging as a global leader for integrated packaging solutions, i.e. aluminum monobloc aerosol cans and aluminum bottles for some of the world’s best-known consumer brands in food, beverages, spirits, cosmetics, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, industrial and household products. Corporate website: www.tecnocapgroup.com.

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The latest Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) project of the Malaysian oil and gas company PETRONAS (PFLNG DUA) has selected BASF’s OASE® purple for its Acid Gas Removal Unit process. This is the first FLNG reference worldwide for BASF’s OASE Gas Treatment technology. Together with PETRONAS and the Japanese engineering partner JGC Corporation, PFLNG DUA has been successfully started up in February 2021 and completed its Performance Test Run in May 2021. The floating LNG facility opens a new source of supply for cleaner energy as it is designed to extract natural gas from deepwater gas reservoirs in depths up to 1,500 meters.

OASE purple is an amine-based solution that is utilized for the removal of acid gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) from natural gas. The removal of acid gases is necessary to prepare the gas for the liquefaction and subsequent pipeline transportation. The highly efficient and environmentally friendly BASF-technology provides flexibility and low capital expenditure (CAPEX) for its customers. Additionally, the low energy demand of the process combined with the non-corrosive nature of the solvent keeps operating and maintenance costs (OPEX) low. The process also provides a high level of gas purity and product gas recovery while keeping solvent losses to a minimum.

Our photo shows the latest Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) project of the Malaysian oil and gas company PETRONAS (PFLNG DUA). The project has selected BASF’s OASE® purple for its Acid Gas Removal Unit process. This is the first FLNG reference worldwide for BASF’s OASE Gas Treatment technology. The FLNG project opens a new source of supply for cleaner energy as it is designed to extract natural gas from deepwater gas reservoirs in depths up to 1,500 meters. The FLNG facility will be moored over the Rotan Gas Field at a water depth of 1,300 meters, located 140 kilometers offshore Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia in the South China Sea with a capacity to produce 1.5 million tons of LNG annually.Our photo shows the latest Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) project of the Malaysian oil and gas company PETRONAS (PFLNG DUA). The project has selected BASF’s OASE® purple for its Acid Gas Removal Unit process. This is the first FLNG reference worldwide for BASF’s OASE Gas Treatment technology. The FLNG project opens a new source of supply for cleaner energy as it is designed to extract natural gas from deepwater gas reservoirs in depths up to 1,500 meters. The FLNG facility will be moored over the Rotan Gas Field at a water depth of 1,300 meters, located 140 kilometers offshore Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia in the South China Sea with a capacity to produce 1.5 million tons of LNG annually.

Andreas Northemann, Head of BASF’s Gas Treatment business, says: “We are proud to now have our first FLNG reference in operation and running at 100 percent capacity, which is the fruit of many years of research. We applied our on-shore LNG expertise and conducted motion studies and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to ensure a high reliability, low maintenance design which meets our customer’s stringent off-shore specifications and challenges.”

With PFLNG DUA, PETRONAS owns and operates two floating LNG facilities, following the success of PFLNG SATU which has been in operation since 2017. Construction of PETRONAS’ latest – second – floating LNG facility started in 2015 and will be moored over the Rotan Gas Field at a water depth of 1,300 meters, located 140 kilometers offshore Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia in the South China Sea with the capacity to produce 1.5 million tons of LNG annually.

Published in Oil & Gas
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LOTTE Chemical, a major Korean chemical company, has produced the polypropylene (PP) required for medical applications using BASF’s Irgastab®, a non-discoloring processing stabilizer. With the rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations worldwide, the need for syringes made from PP has increased exponentially.

LOTTE Chemical’s medical PP has been applied to the LDS (low dead space) syringes developed by a medical syringe manufacturer in South Korea. These specialized products are designed to minimize the amount of a drug left in the device after injection which leads to reduced vaccine wastage. As a result, LDS syringes are in huge demand globally as it is estimated to enable 20% more people to get the dose with the same amount of vaccine.

Plastics used for medical applications require sterilization. This causes degradation and discoloration of the polymer. “Irgastab serves to ensure that medical PP remains safe and suitable for use,” said Hermann Althoff, Senior Vice President, Performance Chemicals Asia Pacific, BASF. “It provides processing stability without discoloration to polypropylene during compounding and injection molding, which is vital for LDS syringes as the materials need to be certified for high-clarity.”

LOTTE Chemical, a major Korean chemical company, has produced the polypropylene (PP) required for medical applications using BASF’s Irgastab®, a non-discoloring processing stabilizer. With the rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations worldwide, the need for syringes made from PP has increased exponentially.LOTTE Chemical, a major Korean chemical company, has produced the polypropylene (PP) required for medical applications using BASF’s Irgastab®, a non-discoloring processing stabilizer. With the rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations worldwide, the need for syringes made from PP has increased exponentially.

As the need for syringes is expected to explode for the vaccination against COVID-19, LOTTE Chemical is expanding the development of special polypropylene materials to ensure strict production quality control of medical materials, including high-clarity PP, and to accommodate the growing needs related to healthcare and safety.

“LOTTE Chemical has a strong position in the medical PP market and we would like to lead and develop this market together with BASF,” said Dr. Kang Kyung-Bo, head of LOTTE Chemical R&D center. “Due to its good performance in terms of color retention and transparency, we are assessing the possibility of expanding the use of Irgastab to fibers and sheets.”

Plastic syringes, and many other medical applications, help to protect human health and safety as one key pillar for a sustainable future. The sustainability benefits of Irgastab also extend to the protection of the environment and valuable resources by shielding plastics in sensitive applications at lower concentrations than alternate solutions.

About BASF Plastic Additives

BASF is a leading supplier, manufacturer and innovation partner of plastic additives. Its comprehensive and innovative product portfolio includes additives which provide ease in processing, heat and light resistance to a variety of polymers and applications including molded articles, films, fibers, sheets and extruded profiles. The portfolio is constantly analyzed, assessed and actively improved towards solutions which make a larger contribution to sustainability. More information about plastic additives: www.plasticadditives.basf.com.

BASF plastic additives is part of BASF’s Performance Chemicals division. The division’s portfolio also includes fuel and lubricant solutions, kaolin minerals, as well as oilfield chemicals and mining solutions. Customers from a variety of industries including Chemicals, Plastics, Consumer Goods, Energy & Resources and Automotive & Transportation benefit from our innovative solutions. To learn more, visit www.performancechemicals.basf.com

About BASF

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. More than 110,000 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 is organized into six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €59 billion in 2020. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the U.S. Further information at www.basf.com.

Published in Chemicals
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BASF’s Care Creations® has further refined the functionality and scope of its Sunscreen Simulator. The latest relaunch of the virtual laboratory now provides formulators and manufacturers with even more options for digitally defining the UV protection of a sun protection product. Sunscreen Simulator 4.0 offers an updated, customizable user interface. The new cockpit functionality guides users through the simulator and expands options for creating and managing projects and personal data. Access to helpful scientific support has also been integrated into the cockpit.

  • The digital tool that supports the development of sunscreens is now even more comprehensive, with the integration of a cockpit functionality
  • Integration of EcoSun Pass® criteria for direct assessment of environmental impact of selected UV filter combinations
  • Evaluation of the interaction of UV filters and emollients

Sunscreen Simulator 4.0 now provides even more options for digitally defining the UV protection of a sun protection product.Sunscreen Simulator 4.0 now provides even more options for digitally defining the UV protection of a sun protection product.

"The integration of the EcoSun Pass® is a tremendous step forward for formulators. In addition to UV performance, they can now also directly check the environmental impact of the selected UV filter systems," explains Dr. Myriam Sohn from the Global Technical Center Sun Care.

The BASF Sunscreen Simulator serves as a recognized benchmark in the industry for determining the sun protection factor (SPF). In addition to the known performance parameters (SPF, UVA protection, photostability), it is now also possible to perform calculations to protect against blue light irradiation and the generation of free radicals.

The Solubilizer Simulator is also entirely new:  As part of the Sunscreen Simulator it evaluates the efficacy of the combination of UV filters and emollients and provides information about the naturalness (as defined by ISO16128) of the emollients.

Further information on the Sunscreen Simulator is available on our website at: https://www.carecreations.basf.com/sunscreen-simulator

About the Care Chemicals division at BASF

The BASF division Care Chemicals offers a broad range of ingredients for personal care, hygiene, home care, industrial & institutional cleaning, and technical applications. We are the global leading supplier for the cosmetics industry as well as the detergents and cleaners industry, and support our customers with innovative and sustainable products, solutions and concepts. The division’s high-performance product portfolio includes surfactants, emulsifiers, polymers, emollients, chelating agents, cosmetic active ingredients and UV filters. We have production and development sites in all regions and are expanding our presence in emerging markets. Further information is available online at www.care-chemicals.basf.com.

About BASF

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. More than 110,000 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 is organized into six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €59 billion in 2020. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the U.S. Further information at www.basf.com.

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