News

Ludwigshafen, Frankfurt am Main and Stühlingen, Germany - In a recently completed pilot project, BASF, together with the housing society ABG FRANKFURT HOLDING and the manufacturer of external thermal insulation composite systems Sto, successfully used an insulation board based on expandable polystyrene (EPS) containing recycled material.

BASF is taking the next step in expanding its sustainable portfolio by offering HySorb^® B 6610 ZeroPCF, the first polyacrylate-based superabsorbent polymer (SAP) marketed with a product carbon footprint¹ (PCF) of zero for the hygiene industry. The zero PCF is achieved by utilizing renewable energy in addition to the established biomass balance approach (BMB) in the production process at the Antwerp Verbund site. HySorb^® B 6610 ZeroPCF is ISCC PLUS-certified.

Ludwigshafen, Germany – BASF has signed an agreement with Karl Bachl Kunststoffverarbeitung GmbH & Co. KG (BACHL) for the sale of its business with Styrodur^®, an insulation material made from extruded polystyrene (XPS). BACHL is one of the leading manufacturers of insulation materials in Germany, an experienced XPS producer and a long-standing Styrodur^® distribution partner of BASF. The sale also includes the brand Styrodur^®. Approximately 50 employees in production, marketing and sales at BASF SE are involved in this business. The affected employees will remain with BASF SE. Subject to the approval of the relevant competition authorities, the completion of the sale is expected by mid-2025. The parties have agreed to keep the financial details of the transaction confidential.

Ludwigshafen, Germany / Chiuduno, Italy – KASK, the iconic Italian helmet brand, is using expandable polystyrene (EPS) granules Neopor^® Ccycled^® from BASF for the production of safety helmets for workers. In the manufacturing process of Neopor^® Ccycled^® fossil feedstocks are replaced by pyrolysis oil obtained from recycled post-consumer plastic waste through chemical recycling at the very beginning of the BASF value chain using the mass balance approach. This way, BASF is able to offer Neopor^® Ccycled^® with a Product Carbon Footprint reduced by approximately 90% compared to conventional Neopor^®. KASK is now using this more sustainable EPS to produce the internal shell of the Primero series as well as the internal shell of the Zenith X and Superplasma safety helmet series from the end of October 2024. These products feature the same high quality and safety performance and an improved product carbon footprint in comparison to using conventional EPS. By choosing these product series, which together cover the majority of helmets sold, KASK is able to make a positive impact on the circular economy.

BASF is strengthening its styrene value chain at its Ludwigshafen site by expanding the production capacity of Neopor^® by 50,000 metric tons per year. This increase is aimed at meeting the growing market demand for the grey insulation material. The start-up of the new production facilities is scheduled for early 2027.