LUDWIGSHAFEN, GERMANY: BASF SE announced a single-digit million-euro investment in the capacity expansion of water-based polyurethane dispersions at its Castellbisbal site in Spain. The expansion will allow BASF to increase its production capacity by 30 percent.
“We want to continue to provide our customers with high-quality polyurethane dispersions and help them grow by ensuring supply reliability. Considering the rising demand for polyurethane dispersions in Europe, this investment underlines our intention to assume a leading position in the business of polyurethane dispersions,” said Frank Hezel, vice president, resins & additives EMEA at BASF.
Polyurethane dispersions constitute an important addition to the acrylate dispersions business. By expanding its portfolio in the field of adhesives, parquet flooring, automotive and industry coatings, BASF is making a valuable contribution to the change from solvent-based coating systems to environmentally friendlier and more sustainable water-based systems.
With the new Joncryl® platform for polyurethane dispersions and hybrids, BASF has deliberately expanded the product range for the furniture and flooring industry. Abrasion and scratch resistance has improved, while there is better resistance against widely used household chemicals. The products require much fewer film-forming agents. This improves the indoor air quality during installation – an important contribution to sustainability.
For production of modern cars, car makers are increasingly using various types of plastic. Here, adhesion feature of the entire coating structure comes into play to ensure good surface quality. The new Basonol PU platform ensures that the primers and base coats used for automobiles have better adhesion qualities and feature a smoother look. The reduced need for solvents constitutes an important contribution to sustainability.
With the demand for sustainable packaging, the plan is to use Epotal® Eco product line to produce water-based compostable raw materials for adhesives at Castellbisbal that are going to play a decisive role. Epotal® Eco is ideally suited in the production of multi-layer films for flexible packaging (eg. bags of chips) based on biodegradable plastic material, which may be a solution for the new challenges faced by the packaging industry. In addition, the expansion of capacities can also be regarded as a response to the ever-increasing demand for Luphen® brands that are used for living spaces and in the car industry.
Matt and soft-touch varnishes enhance the quality image of the packed products. Joncryl® water-based polyurethane dispersions feel luxuriously smooth and velvety to the touch and have a matt yet clear finish. Apart from the emotional aspects, Joncryl® polyurethane dispersions have the technical qualities for water-based lamination ink that are needed for today’s multi-layer flexible (food) packaging, the company said.
© Worldofchemicals News