Competence

in Plastics
Innovations for the
challenges
of the future

BASF Plastics
key to your success

Chemistry is the future. We could not imagine our modern daily life
without the wide array of products and solutions drawn from chemistry. Chemistrys innovative potential is enormous. Plastics give us an
impressive demonstration of this on a daily basis. Plastics help us to
make our lives safer, simpler and more attractive. Plastics also provide great opportunities to shape a future that is worth living.
BASFs plastics are represented in all major markets of the world,
wherever our customers are. As with all of our products and solutions,
we ascribe utmost importance to quality here as well. For us, this
means offering our customers precisely the solutions that will help
them to be more successful.
In this process, we place great emphasis in cooperation with our partners. The highly motivated BASF team works throughout the world
towards achieving our joint success greater efficiency coupled with
prudent management of resources. Our customers, in all sectors,
know that they can rely on BASF.
This has made us into the worlds leading chemical enterprise:
BASF The Chemical Company. With this phrase, we expressly
identify ourselves with chemistry. At the same time, this gives us the
compass and the destination for our journey into the future.
Why dont you join us on this journey!

Dr. Jrgen Hambrecht,

Chairman of the Executive Board of BASF Aktiengesellschaft

The success story of plastics is unique. No other material has

changed our lives to such an extent. When it comes to versatility,
ease of processing and cost-benefit ratio, plastics are virtually
unbeatable. It is not surprising that, in the past five decades, growth
rates for the use of plastics have surpassed those of other materials.
This is an ongoing success story. Plastics are and remain innovative
trendsetters. With undiminished pioneering impetus, plastics are tapping into new areas of application and opening up undreamt-of technical perspectives in all sectors of life in terms of mobility, living and
leisure.
It is thanks to this versatile material that todays cars perform better,
are safer and more comfortable but also more economical than ever
before. Foams lower the energy consumption of our houses and
apartments, thus reducing heating costs and greenhouse emissions
by up to 70%. In sport, modern plastics make clothing and footwear
capable of meeting every challenge. And the toy world of our children
has become not only more colorful but also safer, thanks to this
material.
Plastics have become an indispensable fixture of everyday life. This is
as true today as it will be the day after tomorrow. BASF spares no
effort when it comes to researching and utilizing the multifaceted possibilities that plastics offer us for the future, so that we can attain joint
success with our customers. We are confident that plastics are the
material of the 21st century. As a preferred partner of our customers,
we want to make a decisive contribution towards this goal!

Dr. John Feldmann,

Member of the Executive Board of BASF Aktiengesellschaft
responsible for plastics, oil and gas

Plastic the material of the 21st century

BASF and Plastics a success story

BASF plastics and their applications

12

The key to success

14

Overview of products and sectors

BASF and plastics

BASF and plastics

BASFs plastics product line

Styrenic plastics

Terluran

18

Polystyrene

20

Styrolux, Styroclear

21

Luran

22

Luran S

24

Terlux

26

Terblend N

27

Styroflex

28

Biodegradable plastics

Ecoflex

30

Engineering plastics

Ultradur

32

Ultraform

34

Ultramid/Capron

37

Ultrason

38

Foams

Styropor/Neopor

40

Styrodur C

42

Neopolen

43

Basotect/Palusol

44

Polyurethanes

BASFs plastics product line

16

Basic products

46

Systems

47

Specialty elastomers

50

Overview of products and brands

51

Additional information

Useful information

Useful information

Plastic
the material of the 21st century
We are hardly aware of it anymore but we live in the age of plastics. Owing to their
multifaceted application possibilities, plastics have become an indispensable fixture
of modern life. From coffee machines to telecommunications satellites, from non-slip
steering wheels to ultra-light airplane seats, from yoghurt cups to well-insulated
energy-saving houses, from swimwear to hard-shell suitcases: plastics are always
there, meeting our basic needs and creating equipment for our modern lifestyle.
Plastics make a major contribution to our quality of life and comfort, to technology
and progress, to esthetics and to our well-being. They play an even greater role when
it comes to conserving natural resources since the use of plastics saves more fossil
fuel than is needed for their production a fact that many of us do not realize.

Plastics

make our daily life easier

give us mobility

In nutrition, hygiene, health and living plastics fulfill many tasks in

our bathrooms and kitchens and in the food packaging in supermarkets.

Electronic engine management, airbags and safety belts, navigation

systems and noise abatement, weight-saving car body components:
throughout our vehicles, plastics make a decisive contribution to
safety, reliability, comfort and eco-efficiency.

BASF and plastics

conserve resources

enrich leisure activities as well as top-level sports

Novel foams translate into highly efficient insulation of buildings and

help to markedly lower the consumption of heating energy as well as
the emission of pollutants. Plastics in vehicles reduce the weight and
thus the fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. If we were to package
our food products and consumer goods with materials other than
plastics nowadays, we would need twice as much energy and the
packaging would be four times heavier.

Without plastics, there would be no inline skates and no surfboards,

no Tartan tracks, no sports shoes and no skis. Thanks to plastics,
athletic clothing can be literally tailor-made to meet the most
diversified requirements. As desired, such clothing can offer thermal
insulation for winter sports or can be breathable for track & field.
When used in todays specialized swimwear, plastics create smooth
flowing surfaces. It is no exaggeration to say that the top sport
performances of today would not be possible without plastics.

make modern entertainment

electronics and telecommunications possible

are indispensable in industrial technology

Without plastics, there would be no cell phones and no video game

consoles, no DVDs and no DVD players, no computer housings and no
USB sticks. Thanks to their ease of processing and their excellent
cost-effectiveness, plastics now make these technologies affordable
to the public at large.

No industry without plastics: electric and electronic components have

to be safe, compact and multifunctional. Aircraft have to be as lightweight as possible, bridges and ships have to be stable, the form and
function have to be as variable as possible this is where plastics
offer ideal solutions.

Plastics make the world a better,

safer and more attractive place to
live, while conserving resources.

BASF and plastics

a success story
As a leading chemical company and a globally active plastics
manufacturer, BASF has always been, and continues to be, at
the forefront of developments involving plastics and innovative
applications.

Competence in plastics:
historically evolved and used worldwide
The first styrene synthesis in 1929 at the Ludwigshafen plant was
followed a year later by the first industrial-scale production of polystyrene. Shortly after this, BASF researchers developed Styropor, and
the manufacture of technical polyamide began in 1940. These and
other breakthroughs formed the foundation of the spectacular growth
of BASF plastics in both the domestic and industrial areas after World
War II. In addition to introducing new products BASF, together with its
customers, paved the way for novel applications. Some of the
milestones include the development of the first air-intake manifold for
internal-combustion engines and the first wall plug made of
polyamide.

the products as well as the raw materials of one plant serve as the
basic materials for the next; in the integrated energy network, the
waste heat of one plant is supplied as process heat to the next plant.
These are all synergistic effects that lower costs, thus contributing to
creating competitive structures. The integrated know-how network
combines the worldwide knowledge and experience of thousands of
highly qualified employees.

BASF plastics:
global and yet local

BASFs Verbund:
a network for success

In the middle of the 20th century a mere three million metric tons of
plastics were used. Today, this figure is more than 200 million tons,
and continuing to rise. As a globally active company, BASF is making
a decisive contribution to this growth with its products and problem
solutions. Particularly in Asia, BASF is making sizeable investments to
keep pace with the meteoric growth of this market.

BASFs integrated network concept, the Verbund, consists of a complex interlinking of technical and economic resources that complement each other ideally. Thus, in the integrated production network,

Production, development and sales sites around the globe ensure

proximity to individual markets, and play a vital role in our integrated
partnership network with customers and suppliers.

BASF and plastics

Ludwigshafen (Germany)
Yokkaichi

Freeport,
Texas (USA)

Antwerp (Belgium)

Nanjing (China)

Yeosu

Geismar,
Louisiana (USA)

Kuantan (Malaysia)

production plants,
technical centers,
system houses

Sustainable development is a fundamental pillar of BASFs business

strategy. It means linking economic success to environmental
protection and to social responsibility. BASF feels that sustainable
problem solutions will give the company a long-term competitive
edge. This is why BASF has developed the eco-efficiency analysis to
identify products and processes that are economically and
environmentally best suited for a given application.
Plastics are very often involved in eco-efficient solutions, for instance,
in light-weight automotive construction, in material-saving packaging
and in innovative thermal insulation. This is further evidence that
plastic is indeed the material of the 21st century.

A comparison of composite thermal insulation systems:

With Neopor an increase in the eco-efficiency
Environmental burden (standardized)

BASF plastics and sustainability:

Thinking of tomorrow today

0.7

High eco-efficiency

Neopor

1.0

Styropor

Mineral fiber

Low eco-efficiency
1.3
1.3

1.0

0.7
Costs (standardized)

BASF plastics and their applications

Styrene polymers, engineering plastics and polyurethanes this is only part of

BASFs plastics product line spanning an impressive breadth of applications and
properties. This is why BASFs plastics are present in all sectors of life. Nowadays,
the development of new applications calls not only for material know-how but also
for detailed knowledge of the markets. With this in mind, BASF continuously and
consistently orients its product line and service package to the requirements of its
customers.

BASF plastics offer specific solutions for

innovative packaging
Increasing cost pressure on markets, coupled with rising requirements in terms of the protection and visual presentation of the goods,
characterize this sector today. With these demands in mind, the
development of new products at BASF combines the requisite
protection and barrier properties with ease of processing, great
design freedom and low system costs.
With an eye towards this, the refinement of the transparent, elastic
film material Styroflex fanned out in various directions. This secondgeneration product exhibits an enormous elongation and resilience

capacity, thus allowing the manufacture of inexpensive stretch films.

Styrolux, a product related to Styroflex, has been developed for
products that make high demands in terms of appearance. Styrolux
stands out for its greatly improved transparency, toughness and
stiffness.
Ecoflex, a totally biodegradable plastic based on polyester, is part of
the product line. Either alone or blended with other components,
Ecoflex opens up new horizons for biodegradable films for use in
packaging and in agriculture.

BASF and plastics

building and living

Neopor, a foam made by BASF and a further development based on
the familiar Styropor, helps to insulate houses so as to save even
more energy. Unlike conventional insulating materials, this silver-gray
foam contains infrared absorbers and infrared reflectors that further
reduce thermal conductivity. Neopor especially in lower densities
has a considerably better insulation capacity. Since less raw material
is needed, costs can be lowered and resources conserved.

BASFs foam Styrodur is also used for thermal insulation. It can

withstand stress extremely well and stands out for its long-term
compressive strength, even under high loads.
PermaSkin has been developed as an alternative to the coating of
components made of wood, plastic or metal. This is a production
process in which a thermoplastic film made of BASFs plastic Luran S
can be formed in one single work step while being simultaneously
laminated onto a carrier material.

the electric & electronic sector

When it comes to electric and electronic equipment, BASF plastics
have long since gone beyond being a material just for housings.
They can simultaneously fulfill several tasks in multifunctional parts.
For instance, flat conductors with a sheathing made of Elastollan, a
thermoplastic polyurethane produced by BASFs subsidiary,
Elastogran, weigh less and take up less space than conventional
round cables. Especially in automotive construction, flat conductors
are slated to replace conventional cables in many places.
The development of injection-molded circuit boards goes a step
further. Here, track conductors and electronic components are applied

directly onto a plastic carrier made of Ultramid T, a polyamide

produced by BASF, by means of laser direct structuring. This entails
considerable advantages in terms of the space saving and economical
manufacture of mechatronic modules.
A cutting-edge example of the replacement of conventional materials
by high-performance plastics is the use of Ultrason E, BASFs polyether sulfone, as a substrate film for LCDs. Instead of glass, a film
that is 50 percent thinner and 30 percent lighter in weight can be
used for the displays.

automotive construction
In automotive construction, where particularly high technical and economic demands are made, plastics have been making tremendous
gains by virtue of their combination of low weight, great design
freedom and favorable cost-benefit ratio. As a consequence, the proportion of plastics in cars has doubled in the last 30 years and will
amount to about 20 percent by the end of the decade.
Together with system suppliers, BASF, as a development partner, is
making its contribution to many innovations in automotive construction. Interesting examples these days are the worlds first thermoplastic motor oil pan for trucks as well as the roof module in Class A
surface quality manufactured with the PFM-System. Thanks to the
use of paintless film molding (PFM), the coating step as in the
smart fortwo can be dispensed with.

Also charging-air boxes for truck diesel engines, hot oil-resistant

electronic transmission controls, low-friction adjusting drives and
novel air-mass sensors to regulate the engine have been prepared
for serial production jointly with suppliers.
BASF is also involved in the development of innovative composite
parts. So called collar joining, a method for mechanically joining
metal and plastic, facilitates the manufacture of such hybrid elements
which are finding their first use in automotive construction.

shipbuilding and airplane manufacture

For transportation by sea or air, BASF offers innovative plastics
with special property combinations or new system solutions.

Shipbuilding calls for simple construction systems, which achieve high

strength and which are largely corrosion-proof. The sandwich plate
system, known as SPS, a composite consisting of steel and
polyurethane, meets all of these requirements. It is being used more
and more in the repair and new construction of ship decks and cargo
holds. The repair and installation times are considerably shorter than
those of conventional methods.
Lightweight construction and fire protection are of prime importance
in aircraft construction. In this case, the use of the melamine resin
foam Basotect in aircraft seats reduces the weight by up to 60 percent compared to the conventional design.

10

BASF and plastics

sports and recreation

It is as if plastics had been made for sports and recreation. Whether it
is a hard, glossy and scratch-resistant surface on skis made of
Terlux, a UV-resistant coating made of Luran S on surfboards or a
soft, cushioning sports shoe sole made of polyurethane, no other
material adapts as well to the ever-growing challenges posed by
sports. Bindings made of the polyamide Capron secure the boots to
the skis. Fibers made of Ultramid BS 416 N in T-shirts protect
children from sunburns.

11

The key to success

Today, competition in the market is more intense than ever before through all stages
of the value-added chain, from raw material producers to end consumers. By
offering standard plastics, specialty plastics, system solutions and special service
packages, BASF meets a wide range of market demands. Joint success can only be
achieved by consistently orienting material competence, technological knowledge
and services towards the needs of customers.

Standard plastics:
less is more

Specialty plastics:
tailor-made to the last detail

Styrene polymers such as ABS, which are widely used for housings,
packaging and childrens toys, have become typical standard plastics
nowadays: they are replaceable, their prices are very volatile and
there is competition for them all over the world. Here, BASF works
with a lean portfolio of products which are manufactured at a low cost
and at a consistently high quality in extremely efficient world-scale
plants in Europe, Asia and North America.
The same applies to the major basic products of the polyurethane
industry, MDI and TDI.

Product specialties open up new markets or improve the costeffectiveness of existing applications. Elastollan, in the form of thermoplastically processable polyurethane granules, belongs to the specialties
and so does a new, highly stabilized Ultramid that has a very good
cost-benefit ratio and can replace materials that are more difficult to
process.

In Europe, under the service brand name Colorflexx, together with

cooperation partners, BASF offers comprehensive services along with
its inexpensive, colorless ABS and PS. With this approach, customers
acquire the capability of manufacturing colored products themselves,
as a result of which they save costs and are able to respond flexibly
to new color trends, a concept that benefits everyone.

12

Improved processing properties reduce the costs of a part at the production stage. An example of this is Ultradur High Speed, a new PBT
in BASFs product line, which is twice as flowable as conventional PBT
grades. For the first time, even more complex parts with thinner walls
can be created.
Luran S, as a weathering resistant material for exterior applications,
breaks new ground for door coatings. Ecoflex considerably improves
the properties of products that have to be biodegradable. Terlux is
continually tapping into new applications for highly attractive packaging for products such as cosmetics.

BASF and plastics

System solutions:
bundled know-how holistic thinking

PlasticsPortal:
the portal to the future

The transition from special product developments to holistic system

solutions opens up completely new perspectives. An example of this
is the cooperation with raw material producers, processors, machine
manufacturers and OEMs, which culminated in the PFM-System as a
new concept for the plastic car body of the future. This yields novel
roof modules with Class A surfaces.

The PlasticsPortal, our e-commerce platform for plastics, offers great

benefits to customers. Via the PlasticsPortal, customers can download
product and price information throughout the world, they can obtain
specific application information, simply place orders, participate in
auctions, review old orders and invoices and much more. Sales have
already far exceeded the one-billion euro mark.

CeoDS, a damping system based on Cellasto, is continuously being

improved in a joint effort with the automotive industry. It makes a
substantial contribution to modern riding comfort.

Using the PlasticsPortal helps customers to become more efficient

and thus more successful.

The ever-growing use of polyamide and PBT in the engine compartment is further accelerated by BASFs material and processing
know-how.
Novel simulation methods allow a prediction of mechanical properties
of glass fiber-reinforced components after they have been injection
molded. Predicting the rupture strength of plastic intake manifolds,
with a precision that had not yet been possible until now, translates
into a substantial reduction of the development time and costs.

13

Overview of products and sectors

Automotive
construction

Luran
Luran S
Terluran
Terlux
Terblend N

Ultramid
Ultradur
Ultraform
Ultrason

Polystyrol
Styrolux
Styroflex

Styropor
Neopor
Peripor
Styrodur C

Ecoflex

Neopolen
Basotect
Palusol

Elastollan
Elastolit
Cellasto / CeoDS
Elastofoam

14

Electric
technology/
electronics

Communication,
consumer electronics
and computer

Cosmetics
packaging

Household

Mechanical
engineering/
Industry

Construction
industry

Packaging
and coating

Medical
technology

BASF and plastics

Toys, sports
and recreation

15

Styrenic plastics

Terluran
ABS

Terluran, BASFs ABS, has set worldwide standards for cost-effectiveness and
product quality. BASF makes its Terluran Core Products (Terluran GP-22, Terluran
GP-35, Terluran HI-10) using state-of-the-art technology in world-scale-plants in
Europe, Asia and North America. In this way, BASF is ensuring not only the global
availability of Terluran but, as the only manufacturer world-wide, it can also offer
identical products from regional production sites. Owing to its very bright and consistent intrinsic color, Terluran is ideally suited for self-coloring, particularly when
there is a need for brilliant colors. With its service brand Colorflexx, BASF also provides an innovative and complete package for the self-coloring of plastics and can
meet the requirements of customers efficiently and economically.

when it is all about design

Product differentiation through design is becoming more and more
important in a wide array of sectors. Designers like to reach for
Terluran due to the ease with which it can be colored and also due
to its high-quality surface finish and good gloss. The high scratch and
abrasion resistance of Terluran ensures that products made with it
retain their decorative appearance, even after prolonged use.

16

BASFs plastics product line

when it is supposed to be cost effective

and when it gets really hot

Ease of processing, short cycle times and reduced wall thicknesses

make Terluran an extremely cost-effective material. For major household appliances as well as for smaller household and kitchen appliances, preference is given to the use of Terluran.

With its specialty Terluran High Heat, BASF has the right answer
whenever there is need for particularly high dimensional stability
under heat. Components made of Terluran HH retain their shape and
dimensions even under extreme loads. The high-heat grades are
employed for automotive exterior parts such as exterior rear-view
mirrors, fenders, spoilers or transmission covers.

www.terluran.com
www.colorflexx.com

17

Styrenic plastics

Polystyrene
PS, PS-I

In polystyrene, BASF supplies standard and impact-resistant grades for use in injection molding and extrusion, thermoforming, blow molding and injection blow molding.
As a global player, BASF has further expanded its technological competence in polystyrene in recent years. World-scale production facilities supply the most important
markets with products having a consistent quality.

In packaging for food products, in office and information technology or in refrigerators

all sectors make high demands of the combined properties of the materials used.
In its diverse variants, polystyrene offers extraordinary property combinations, thus
making a vital contribution to everyday life.

packages food products

Particularly when it comes to food packaging, the materials have to
perform miracles: the packaging has to be perfect from a hygienic
standpoint and prevent the contents from spoiling as well as protect
them against damage during transportation, storage
and sale.
Polystyrene 486 M makes quite an impression with
its outstanding cost-benefit ratio. When blended with
the polystyrenes 143 E, 145 D, 165 H and 158 K, it
yields a wide array of requirement profiles for use,

for instance, as beverage cups, packaging for dairy products as well

as injection-molded service packaging. Whenever the packaging and
filling of food products are combined in one work step, a low-shrinkage product like polystyrene 145 D is particularly well suited.
Polystyrene 485 I is used in the packaging and record
industries since it allows the creation of matt surfaces.
The polystyrenes 168 N and 158 K are ideal when it
comes to high-quality foamed articles, such as foam
containers, labels or profiles.

is just brilliant
Polystyrene 454 C is a high-gloss product whose development involved great emphasis on a special combination of impact
strength, high flowability, heat resistance and high gloss. The main
areas of application for polystyrene 454 C are in a variety of uses in
the household sector, in cooling equipment and for toys.

18

BASFs polystyrene plastics have received the stamp of approval from

leading manufacturers of video and audio equipment worldwide as
well as companies active in the office and information technology
sector.
Polystyrene 495 F can be used to produce large housing parts as
well as filigree, shapely designs. It is a product with a tremendous
potential for future tasks.

Thanks to polystyrene 2710, impact-resistant grades that are particularly resistant to stress cracking are available for the production of
refrigerator inserts and door paneling, which is directly back-foamed
with polyurethane systems.
BASFs impact-resistant glossy grades are preferably used in
the accessories sector and as a basic material for glossy-layer coextrusion.

BASFs plastics product line

offers the potential for use in new tasks

The transparent and brilliant grades polystyrene 158 K and 165 H set
the standard in terms of the cost-efficient production of transparent
vegetable drawers and other accessories.

stays cool
Tailor-made material properties and trouble-free processing as well
as enormous cost-efficiency make polystyrene perfect for use in
refrigerators.

www.basf.de/polystyrol
www.colorflexx.com

19

Styrenic plastics

Styrolux , Styroclear
SB

Products made of Styrolux, BASFs styrene-butadiene block copolymer (SB), are

transparent and impact resistant. Consequently, Styrolux lends itself for a wide
variety of applications and for the manufacture of visually attractive products that
have outstanding properties of use.
is cost-effective and transparent
for dimensionally stable packaging
In food-product packaging, such as cups, bowls and boxes, Styrolux
combines transparency with high impact strength and compliance
with food-product requirements. The excellent miscibility of Styrolux
with standard polystyrene also allows the cost-effective production of
industrial packaging such as blister packs and transparent, unbreakable displays.

is transparent and unbreakable

for injection-molded parts
Styrolux is the ideal material for various articles from the sanitary,
cosmetics, household, office equipment and toy sectors. Owing to its
crystal-clear transparency, appealing surface gloss, good breaking
strength as well as excellent flow properties, Styrolux is convincing
in injection molding.

www.styrolux.com

is thin and tough for flexible packaging

Thin films made of Styrolux help to increase the shelf life, attractiveness and freshness of food products such as vegetables and readymade salads. In addition to transparency, the requirements here
include primarily puncture resistance, suitability for printing, high
resistance to shrinkage as well as high permeability to water vapor
and gases.

is tailor-made for transparent clothes hangers

Under the brand name Styroclear, BASF has developed a new
product that, like other SB grades, offers a combination of very
good transparency and toughness.
Especially designed for use in transparent clothes hangers,
Styroclear makes it possible to admix standard polystyrene
without losing the excellent transparency.

20

Styrenic plastics

Luran
SAN

Under its brand name Luran, BASF offers SAN, a product that has been used
for years now in many applications in the household and sanitary sectors, for

Lurans extraordinary properties include its excellent transparency and good

resistance to chemicals. Moreover, Luran stands out for its high stiffness,
dimensional stability and resistance to fluctuating temperatures.
is found in a wide variety of household applications

BASFs plastics product line

packaging cosmetic products as well as for electronic and office articles.

Since Luran has outstanding transparency and is dishwashersafe, it is used for transparent parts such as salad bowls,
mixers, storage containers for food products, plates, thermos
bottle housings and for built-in components for refrigerators.

displays ideal properties

for the bath and cosmetics sectors
Thanks to its extraordinary resistance to chemicals and its high
strength, Luran is an ideal material for applications in the sanitary
sector. An example of this is transparent shower stalls
made of Luran.
In the cosmetics sector, Luran is the ideal plastic for exclusive
packaging. Its high-quality, brilliant surface, which is easy to print
on, and its suitability for coloring make Luran the material of
choice among designers.

in industrial applications
Luran is a highly stressable thermoplastic with outstanding dimensional stability and strength. These properties predestine Luran for
applications such as industrial gates, covers, lamps, battery cases and
roller fans for air-conditioning systems.
In addition to pure SAN, there are also SAN grades with a higher
dimensional stability under heat.

www.luran.de

21

Styrenic plastics

Luran S
ASA and (ASA+PC)

Luran S is the brand name for BASFs styrene acrylonitrile copolymers that have
been impact-modified with acrylic ester rubber. The Luran S grades and their
blends stand out for their resistance to weathering, for their high ageing stability
and good resistance to chemicals. As a result, Luran S is suitable for components
that are subjected to high loads but nevertheless have to exhibit a particularly high
quality over the long term.

22

for weather-resistant applications at home

for sturdy appliances in the electric & electronics sector

Be it rain, sun or cold construction elements made of Luran S can

withstand, even extreme, conditions without problems. Brittle surfaces
and bleached colors are a thing of the past. Together with selected
partners, BASF now offers PermaSkin, a system with which a
thermoplastic film is created in a single work step and applied
simultaneously onto one or both sides of components made of wood,
plastic or metal. The film used in this method consists of a special
Luran S compound that is sold under the brand name LuraSkin.

Thanks to its thermal resistance and high color stability, Luran S is

an ideal material for electric appliances that are exposed to high
heat stress. These include espresso and coffee machines, microwave
ovens and sewing machines. Owing to its special resistance to
weathering, Luran S is also very well-suited for parts used for
television antennas, parabolic dishes, solar panels, motion sensors
as well as housings for alarm systems.

BASFs plastics product line

displays extreme resistance to weathering for outdoor

sports and recreation

displays important product properties

in automotive construction

Be it a surfboard or a sailboat, a golf cart or a ski box, whether

injection-molded or extruded, Luran S can be found in all kinds of
equipment used for sports and recreation.

In recent years, Luran S has conquered a large share of the market

for automotive add-on parts. More and more users are deciding in
favor of Luran S due to its resistance to UV light. Even after prolonged weather exposure, Luran S does not exhibit the graying that
is typical of ABS, and the toughness of the part is retained over a long
time span.

www.luran-s.com

23

Styrenic plastics

Terlux
MABS

Terlux is the brand name of MABS polymers made by BASF. The key properties of
this class of materials are excellent transparency, brilliance, high toughness and
good resistance to chemicals. In addition to these attributes, Terlux exhibits an
outstanding surface finish and is easy to process. Moreover, Terlux can create
particularly brilliant visual effects such as sparkles. The material can also be
printed on without any problem. This combination of properties, which is quite
extraordinary for impact-modified thermoplastics, makes Terlux into a specialty
for demanding applications.

for high requirements in medical technology

for a wide array of applications in sports and recreation

The special combination of properties such as good toughness,

excellent resistance to chemicals, sterilizability and unproblematic
adhesion to other materials makes Terlux the ideal choice for
demanding applications in medical technology.

At first glance, Terlux captivates with its sparkle and

transparency. Closer scrutiny reveals its outstanding
toughness and rigidity, important prerequisites
for its use in sports and recreation.

www.terlux.com

24

offers shapely and brilliant solutions in the

cosmetics and hygiene sectors
Cosmetic products convey a sense of beauty and
attractiveness. That is why the presentation of a
product plays an incredibly important role. Elegant
and brilliant packaging that protects the valuable
contents is required. Terlux allows great design
freedom and permits the creation of brilliant
surfaces with extraordinary color intensity.

Articles meant for households and offices are

in constant use and so the requirements
made of their ability to stand up to daily wear
and tear are very high. This is not a problem
for Terlux. This sturdy material has excellent processing characteristics and allows
the manufacture of ergonomic
products with appealing
shapes.

BASFs plastics product line

a clear choice for households and offices

25

Styrenic plastics

Terblend N
ABS + PA

With its Terblend N (ABS+PA), BASF offers a blend based on ABS and polyamide.
It combines the good properties of the individual components and also reduces
the disadvantages of PA, such as the shrinkage and inadequate low-temperature
impact strength. Terblend N offers an interesting combination of important
material properties: extraordinary impact strength even at temperatures below
freezing, excellent toughness, ease of processing, outstanding chemical resistance, good dimensional stability under heat, high-quality surface finish as well as
a pleasant feel.

26

in automotive construction

in sports and recreation

The use of Terblend N saves system costs. Terblend N not only

offers weight-related advantages in comparison to blends with polycarbonate, but it is also a plastic that does not have to be subsequently coated. The automotive industry employs Terblend N for center consoles, air vents, gear levers and airbag covers as well as for
radio faceplates and glove compartments. Terblend N has also
proven to be a good choice for applications for car bodies. It is used
for bumpers, spoilers and motorcycle fairings.

The versatile properties of Terblend N come to the fore in skis,

bindings, ski poles, snow boards as well as for protective gear for
skaters.

www.terblend-n.com

Styrenic plastics

Styroflex
SB

Styroflex is BASFs transparent, elastic copolymer based on styrene and

butadiene. Styroflex owes its unique property profile to a special molecular
architecture. Thanks to its excellent processability and high thermal stability, this
product is suitable for film extrusion as well as injection molding. Styroflex is
poised to conquer broad fields of application in compounds and as an effective,
impact-modified additive.

sets new standards as film

offers flexibility as a compound

Excellent resilience, high transparency and enormous toughness are

the outstanding properties of Styroflex. Styroflex has an extremely
low speck count, which means that it can be extruded to yield transparent, highly elastic thin films. Its high permeability to gas and water
vapor is particularly appreciated in the packaging of fresh meat.

Thanks to its good adhesion to other styrenes, Styroflex proves

its mettle in two-component injection molding, even in transparent
hard-soft combinations. The high polarity of Styroflex makes it
easy to print on.

Styroflex opens up new possibilities in the realm of stretch packaging since its superior stretching capacity and resilience do away with
the limits that have existed up until now. As an additive for PE films,
Styroflex thanks to its extremely fine dispersion is crossing into
the realms of nanotechnology and is bringing about a significant
increase in puncture resistance.

The special property profile of Styroflex comes to the fore in

compounds with other materials. The hardness can be set as
desired. Soft touch applications are also possible.

improves the toughness as an additive

Styroflex also excels as an additive to increase the toughness of
standard and impact-resistant polystyrene. Both the toughness and
the resistance to stress cracking are improved, even at low temperatures. In appropriate mixtures, Styroflex can systematically adjust the
toughness-to-stiffness ratio of impact-resistant polystyrene.

BASFs plastics product line

As a compatibilizer, Styroflex is also instrumental in combining different styrenes and polyolefins. Thus, for instance, matt ABS can be produced by using matt polystyrene.

www.styroflex.com

27

Biodegradable plastics

Ecoflex

Under the brand name Ecoflex, BASF offer biodegradable, aliphatic aromatic
copolyesters. Under certain conditions, such as those found in compost heaps,
Ecoflex breaks down within just a few weeks without leaving any residues.
In formulations consisting of thermoplastic starch and biodegradable, synthetic
polymers so-called starch blends or as a mono-application in the realm of
flexible films, Ecoflex offers customers completely biodegradable packaging.

in packaging

in film applications

Packaging based on corn or potato starch as well as polylactic acid

(PLA) becomes even better when it is made into a biodegradable
composite with Ecoflex. For instance, Ecoflex increases the usability
of food-product packaging made of renewable raw materials such as
corn starch, PLA or potato starch. These products then simply end up
on the compost heap where, like natural polymers, they decompose
without leaving residues.

Ecoflex has been developed specifically for applications in the

flexible films sector. Ecoflex films are completely biodegradable,
thus writing a new chapter in packaging disposal. Films made of
Ecoflex exhibit similar properties to those of polyethylene. The great
advantage for manufacturers is that they can produce and print the
Ecoflex films on conventional equipment designed for processing
polyethylene films. Like polyethylene, Ecoflex is water-proof, tear
resistant, flexible, fusible and can be printed on. Ecoflex can be
processed in many different ways, for example, as tubular film, as
an extrusion coating or as cast film.

www.basf.de/ecoflex

28

BASFs plastics product line

has versatility as a strong point

Ecoflex creates a plethora of possibilities for products made of
renewable raw materials. Films made of Ecoflex are used as mulch
for corn, lettuce or strawberries as well as for fast-food packaging.
The properties of Ecoflex ensure good wet strength and fat
resistance. And nature benefits from this, too. The biodegradable
composite consisting of starch packaging or paper and Ecoflex
offers the advantage of problem-free disposal through composting.

29

Engineering Plastics

Ultradur
PBT und (PBT + ASA)

Ultradur is the trade name for BASFs partly crystalline, thermoplastic saturated
polyester based on polybutylene terephthalate (PBT). It is used as a material for
high-quality, highly stressed engineering parts in a wide variety of industrial sectors.
Ultradur features high stiffness and strength, very good dimensional stability at
high temperatures, low water absorption and good resistance to many chemicals.
Ultradur also has excellent weather resistance and outstanding heat ageing
performance.

for applications under high stress

Ultradurs strengths become apparent wherever high-quality parts are
required, and particularly where they must withstand high stresses. In
automotive industry, where its high stiffness and strength combined
with good heat aging performance are particularly valuable, Ultradur
even replaces metals. Resistance to fuels and lubricants is also vital
here. Glass-fiber-reinforced grades made from PBT and ASA
(Ultradur S) also have especially low warpage.

www.basf.de/ultradur

30

as components become smaller and more complex

An attractive surface with high heat resistance is essential for many

items of household equipment, such as fryers and housings for irons.
And weathering resistance is an additional requirement for external
components on vehicles, such as wiper arms and door handles. Using
Ultradur B 4040 G 4-G 10 this can be achieved with no sacrifice of
stiffness or strength. Materials suitable for direct metallization, e.g. for
headlamp surrounds, can be made from Ultradur B 4520. A process
frequently used for identification marking, for example of electronic
components, is laser inscription. Some Ultradur brands are colored in
such a way that they can be marked using this process.

Components continue to become smaller and more complex and carry

out increasingly demanding functions, so materials used in electrical
engineering and electronics have to meet high requirements. No
problem for Ultradur, thanks to excellent flowability.
Excellent dimensional stability means that the functioning of filigree
component assemblies can be relied upon whatever their environment
may be. In addition, Ultradur has excellent electrical and thermal
long-term performance.
Flame-retardant Ultradur B 4406 G 4/6 Q 113 has optimized flowability and permits production of particularly thin-walled components.
Another plus point is its excellent surface quality.

BASFs plastics product line

when the surface is important

31

Engineering Plastics

Ultraform
POM

Ultraform is BASFs trade name for the range of polyoxymethylenes. The

Ultraform range includes versatile engineering plastics with varied properties
tailored for use in advanced, high-performance components. Ultraform
grades combine high stiffness with mechanical strength. They exhibit good
resilience as well as good toughness and dimensional stability, and have good
sliding friction performance. An important feature of Ultraform is its chemical
resistance, especially to the usual grades of gasoline (even those containing
methanol or ethanol) as well as to diesel fuels, and even to biodiesel.

a high performer in automotive construction

With Ultraform, the designer has an engineering plastic which provides the property combinations demanded by the automotive industry. Ultraform has excellent
chemical resistance and good long-term heat resistance, and is unaffected by hot
fuels and oils. Ultraform grades with specific additives have good electrical conductivity, e.g. for electrically heated exterior mirrors of motor vehicles or in the fuel
tank area, where the antistatic properties of these grades are particularly important.
for toughness and resistance to hot water
in households and leisure applications
Ultraforms strengths are also apparent in the household and leisure sectors.
Ultraform has high stiffness, strength and toughness. These properties are in particular demand for components in toy parts, for example in axles and frames where
resistance to breakage under high loads is important. Due to its outstanding resistance to hydrolysis, hot-water-resistant Ultraform retains its shape even at high
temperatures it is now used in several hundred thousands of espresso machines!
32

Long service life, fault-free functioning and dimensional accuracy are demanded in modern mechanical engineering. Ultraform
is the perfect material for this sector. It has high dimensional
stability, with good sliding friction performance. Ultraform does
not corrode, and has very low friction and wear, making it particularly effective for conveyor belts. It has exceptional resilience
and excellent recovery, making it ideal for use in clips and snap
connections.

BASFs plastics product line

a tough competitor in mechanical and precision engineering

www.basf.de/ultraform

33

Engineering Plastics

Ultramid / Capron
PA

SPE Grand Innovation Award

Oil sump made of Ultramid

Ultramid ensuring reliability in energy

supply and engineering
The outstanding importance of Ultramid in electrical engineering
derives from its high dielectric strength and tracking resistance, as
well as good heat and aging resistance. These properties make
Ultramid a high-quality insulating material. There are halogen-free
flame-retardant Ultramid grades which are suitable for electrical
components with particularly high fire protection requirements.

www.basf.de/ultramid

34

Ultramid grades, as well as the Capron brands sold in

Europe, are polyamide molding compounds based on PA 6, PA
66. The product line is rounded off by various copolyamides,
such as PA 66/6 and partially aromatic polyamides. The superior properties of these materials have made them indispensable
in virtually every sector of engineering and for an enormous
range of components and machine parts. They are also used as
high-quality electrical insulation materials.
Ultramid and Capron stand out for high mechanical strength,
stiffness and thermal resistance. In addition, BASFs polyamides
exhibit good thoughness at low temperatures and favorable
sliding friction behavior, while also allowing trouble-free

BASFs plastics product line

processing.

Ultramid, No.1 in the engine compartment

The very high quality and safety requirements posed by modern
automotive construction, especially in the engine compartment place
high demands on the materials used. BASF, together with its partners
in the automotive industry, is discovering opportunities for completely
new applications. Ultramid sets new standards in the development of
inlet manifolds, pedal systems and airbag housings. In the engine
compartment in particular there are many components for which
plastics could be used. Ultramid, with its superior resistance to heat,
and also to fuels and oils, hydraulic fluids and coolants, is well suited
to this purpose.

Ultramid/Capron for superlative color and design, whether in

household, construction or leisure
Ultramid and Capron give almost unrestricted freedom in design and
in shape and surface characteristics. These advantages stem from
Ultramids and Caprons outstanding versatility in injection molding.
Applications of Ultramids and Caprons extend beyond windows,
doors and bannisters. High-quality products for the personal hygiene
sector, coat-rack systems and cosmetics applications also depend on
the performance and attractiveness of Ultramid and Capron.

35

Engineering Plastics

Ultramid
PA

The ideal material for applications in extrusion

Ultramid resins are indispensable in numerous packaging
applications, due to their outstanding properties: excellent barrier to
oxygen, organic solvents and flavours, thermoformability superior
strength, high clarity, remarkable heat distortion resistance and food
contact approval.
This superior plastic material provides gloss and elegance to blowmoulded multilayer cosmetics packaging, helping to turn creative
ideas into reality.
Ultramid monofilaments are found in numerous high-tenacity
products such as fishing lines, nets, racquet strings and ropes.
Ultramid is also used to manufacture filter cloth for various
industrial filters and screens.

36

Engineering plastics

Ultrason
PESU und PSU

The Ultrason grades are high-temperature-resistant, amorphous thermoplastics

whenever polyamide, polycarbonate, polyoxymethylene and polyalkylene
terephthalate reach their limits. The exceptional property spectrum of these
materials even allows them to replace thermosets, metals and ceramics. The most
important features of Ultrason are high stiffness, high mechanical strength, high
continuous operating temperatures, good electrical insulation properties and good

BASFs plastics product line

based on polysulfone and polyethersulfone. Ultrason S and Ultrason E are used

dimensional stability.
a hot favorite for electrical and electronic engineering
Ultrason is an extremely versatile thermoplastic. In addition to
outstanding thermal properties it has low creep, even at high
temperatures, good flame retardancy, excellent insulation
properties and high dielectric strength. Ultrasons high
stiffness, strength and dimensional stability permit its use in,
for example chip trays, the holders used on machines which
manufacture computer chips.
has outstanding filtration properties
Owing to its molecular structure, Ultrason is particularly suited
for many membrane applications such as in the beverage
industry for the de-alcoholization of beer. Ultrason membranes
can even filter out gases. Ultrason also features resistance to
many chemicals.

remains dimensionally stable and media resistant

even at extreme temperatures
High dimensional stability, excellent resistance to chemical
media and outstanding surface quality in moldings predestine
Ultrason for demanding applications in automotive engineering
and chemical engineering. Examples include parts in oil pumps
and headlight reflectors and housings.
Its ability to withstand repeated sterilization, high toughness and
transparency are persuasive arguments for the use of Ultrason
in the field of sanitation and also in the household. Applications
in these areas include baby formula bottles and microwave
dishes.

www.basf.de/ultrason
37

Foams

Styropor...
PS-E

Styropor is supplied as a raw material for the manufacture of high-grade products

used in thermal insulation and packaging. Styropor is an expandable polystyrene
(PS-E). Its multi-faceted product properties include a very high thermal insulation
capacity, high compressive strength, outstanding shock absorption as well as low
weight. Styropor is impervious to moisture and has a good cost-benefit ratio.

as packaging material for safe transportation

High performance and low prices play a decisive role in the packaging
industry. Foams made of Styropor meet all requirements here as well.
Styropor is inexpensive, extremely lightweight and recyclable.
Packaging made of Styropor helps to limit damage to products like
domestic appliances, food, furniture or glass during transportation and
storage, thus retaining product value.

for thermal insulation tasks throughout the house

As an integral part of a composite thermal insulation system,
Styropor is instrumental in optimally insulating the faades of houses,
thereby conserving heating energy and precious resources. Styropor
is widely used as insulation material for interiors, on roofs or in floors
and ceilings and as impact-sound insulation. In this way, the use of
Styropor in construction makes a major contribution towards to
reducing CO2 emissions.

www.styropor.de

Peripor the material for perimeter insulation

Peripor is also a product of the Styropor family. This PS-E material is
made into insulating panels and molded parts for applications involving exposure to particularly high levels of pressure and moisture.

38

Foams

Neopor...
PS-E

Neopor is the most recent addition to the family of expandable polystyrenes. It is

supplied to processors in granular form. The difference between Neopor and Styropor
is immediately noticeable. Panels and molded parts made of Neopor are silver gray.
Neopor contains infrared absorbers and infrared reflectors that reduce thermal
conductivity. Neopor especially in the realm of lower densities has a considerably
better insulation capacity than can be achieved with conventional rigid polystyrene
particle foams. This means that the same insulation result is obtained with much less
raw material or with a thinner layer of insulating material. This, in turn, lowers costs and
conserves resources. Approximately ten liters of crude oil go into the production of a
panel that is two square meters in size and ten centimeters thick. However, over the
course of 50 years, such a panel saves around 1200 liters of heating oil.

Neopor is particularly advantageous wherever structure and cost considerations make it necessary to limit the thickness of the insulating
layer without reducing the insulating capacity. Examples of this are:
faade insulation
impact-sound insulation in conjunction with thermal insulation
inner insulation of exterior walls
insulation of masonry walls of double-leaf construction
inter-rafter insulation
lay-on systems for pitched roofs

makes the Three-Liter House a reality

in the renovation of old houses
Neopor has also proven its mettle as an insulating material in the
Three-Liter House pilot project. In a residential neighborhood in
Ludwigshafen, Germany, an old house was renovated so efficiently that
it can be heated with the equivalent of just three liters (instead of 23
liters) of heating oil per square meter of living space per year. With this
project, BASF was able to demonstrate a high level of system competence. In addition to a fuel cell, special thermal windows, heat-storing
interior plaster and, of course, Neopor as an environmentally ideal
insulating material all make a major contribution towards our future
way of living.

BASFs plastics product line

with markedly improved thermal insulation properties

www.neopor.de

39

Foams

Styrodur C...
XPS

Styrodur C BASFs extruded polystyrene rigid foam panels that are dyed green
displays excellent product properties that have made it an indispensable insulation
material for construction projects both above ground and underground as well as for
the production of composite elements. Styrodur C stands out for its good thermal
insulation capacity, low water absorption and high compressive strength. This green
insulating material not only saves heating and cooling energy, but it also reduces
thermal stress in structures.

in perimeter insulation for living comfort,

even in the basement
Low water absorption, compressive strength and high thermal
insulating capacity are the aspects that make Styrodur C suitable
for perimeter insulation, i.e. the exterior insulation of structural
components that are in contact with the ground.

for thermal-bridge insulation in structural components

Thermal bridges are spatially delimited areas in structural components
through which heat is constantly being lost. Styrodur 2800 C, with its
embossed surface, stands out for creating a particularly good adhesive
bond to concrete, stucco and mortar. This makes it the ideal insulating
material when it comes to avoiding thermal bridges.

for the thermal insulation of green roofs as inverted roofs

In inverted roofs, the thermal insulation material lies above the roof
sealing layer. Styrodur C fulfills the stringent requirements resulting
from this exposed position in all inverted roof constructions: gravel
roofs, terrace roofs, green roofs and parking roofs.

40

Green and good.

BASFs plastics product line

even for applications involving high compressive stress

In addition to thermal insulation and resistance to moisture, many
applications also call for compressive strength, for instance, in parking
garages, in the ground of maintenance hangars for large-bodied aircraft or load-bearing thermal insulation under foundation slabs. In
these applications, the elasticity of Styrodur C also contributes
to leveling out irregularities and absorbing load peaks without
the material being destroyed.

www.styrodur.de

41

Foams

Neopolen...
EPP, EPE

Neopolen P (EPP) is a polystyrene foam made of expanded, primarily closed-cell

foam particles. This raw material which is free of blowing agents is processed by
molded-part manufacturers into a wide array of foam products.

Neopolen E (EPE) is a foam made of cross-linked polyethylene. It is delivered as a

finished product in the form of panels. Customers then process the panels into
molded parts for a broad range of applications.

Neopolen P and Neopolen E stand out for their high energy absorption at a low
weight, good resilience after static and dynamic loads as well as resistance to
chemicals. They are environmentally friendly and allow a wide variety of recycling
possibilities.
as Neopolen P, the ideal foam
for cars
Low weight, high energy absorption and favorable
deformation behavior, even under repeated impact
stress, are important prerequisites for automotive
components made of Neopolen P.
as construction material

suitable for a variety of applications as Neopolen E

Owing to its extraordinary processing characteristics and its multifaceted product properties, Neopolen E can be employed over a
broad spectrum of applications: optimal cushioning properties, good
resilience as well as excellent elasticity all make Neopolen E a
preferred material for packaging, charge carriers, luggage inserts or
sports mats.
Minimum water absorption, long service life, very good resistance to
chemicals as well as suitability for use over a broad temperature
range allow the use of Neopolen E in the construction sector as well
as in expansion padding for long-distance heating lines. Thanks to its
product characteristics, Neopolen E lends itself for use in many other
areas such as automotive construction, pipe insulation as well as the
sports and recreation sectors.
42

Thanks to its wide array of product properties,

Neopolen P meets several requirements at the same
time: it functions equally well as packaging, as housing
or even as impact protection. Neopolen P also acts as
thermal and sound insulation for equipment.
for reusable packaging
In comparison to other foams, Neopolen P is particularly well-suited
for reusable packaging. Here, its high resilience after static and
dynamic loads, its good resistance to chemicals and its low weight are
all highly appreciated.

www.neopolen.de

Foams

Basotect, Palusol ...

MF

Basotect is a flexible, open-cell foam made of melamine resin, a thermoset plastic

from the aminoplastics group. The special chemical and spatial structure of this
material accounts for its particularly attractive property profile. Basotect displays a
high sound-absorption capacity, high temperature resistance, favorable fire retardanform of blocks and subsequently processed by customers into the final products having the desired shape and size.
has outstanding sound-insulation
and fire-retardant properties

makes vehicle interiors quieter

Due to its high sound-absorption capacity and its classification as

a flame-resistant material even without the addition of flameretardants Basotect is an indispensable item in the construction
sector.

www.basotect.de

Basotect fulfills the rising requirements that are being made in automotive construction in terms of continuously reducing the noise levels
and weight. It is compressed together with nonwovens, wovens and
films into precisely contoured components which are then installed in
vehicles, trains and airplanes for sound insulation purposes. The
product properties valued most in this field are the high temperature
resistance, fire safety and chemical resistance of Basotect.

BASFs plastics product line

cy, very good flexibility and, it is easy to process. Basotect is manufactured in the

Aside from organic foams, BASF also offers a construction material on an inorganic
basis, namely, Palusol fire-retardant panels. These panels consist essentially of a
hydrous alkali silicate. The main area of application for Palusol is in preventive fire
protection.
Palusol is classified as a non-flammable construction material. In
case of fire, under the effect of heat, the panels build up foaming
pressure and then foam. The non-flammable, thermally insulating
foam prevents the spread of the fire and smoke to other rooms for
a certain period of time. Palusol is used in fire-rated doors, fireresistant glazing as well as in fireproof partitions for pipes, cables
or ventilation elements.

www.palusol.de
43

Polyurethanes
Polyurethane
PU
PUR

BASF is one of the leading suppliers of polyurethane products and

the worldwide market leader in polyurethane systems and specialty
elastomers. As the worlds largest chemical company, BASF offers
a comprehensive product portfolio in polyurethanes:
PU basic products (isocyanates, polyether polyols,
polyester polyols)
PU systems
PU specialty elastomers (thermoplastic polyurethanes,
microcellular elastomers as finished parts)

BASF has world-scale facilities for polyurethane basic products in

each of the three regions of the globe. Polyurethane systems and
specialty elastomers are produced at 28 sites throughout the world.
These sites also function as BASFs sales centers close to customers.
This is where innovative problem solutions as well as new products
and technologies are being developed jointly with customers.

44

BASFs polyurethane business is conducted by three regional business

units. The Elastogran Group is responsible for the polyurethane business in Europe, the Middle East and Africa and it also runs BASFs
global research and technology center for polyurethane specialties
PU systems and specialty elastomers in Lemfrde, Germany.

For further information:

Regional Business Unit BASF Polyurethane Europe
(including Middle East/Africa)
Elastogran GmbH
Postfach 1140, D-49440 Lemfrde Germany,
Tel.: +49 54 43 12 0

BASFs plastics product line

PU Basic Products

Regional Business Unit BASF Polyurethane NAFTA

BASF Corporation
1609 Biddle Avenue, Wyandotte, Michigan 48192 USA
Tel.: +1 734 32 46 100
Isocyanates, polyols, catalysts and additives BASF has all of the
components of the polyurethane application spectrum in its line-up.
Major advantages include BASFs integrated network structure, the
Verbund, as well as the backward integration to PU starting products
(for example, PO, aniline, nitrobenzene). BASF is in a position to manufacture PU basic products economically in its world-scale facilities
using state-of-the-art processes, thus achieving excellent delivery
reliability.

Regional Business Unit BASF Polyurethane Asia

BASF East Regional Headquarters
45th Floor
Jardine House
No. 1 Connaught Place
Central, Hong Kong
Tel.: +8 52 27 31 01 11
BASF Polyurethane
Avenue Hamoir 14
B-1180 Brussels Belgium
Tel.: +32 23 73 25 19

45

PU Systems

The property profile of polyurethane systems is practically unlimited.

Whether hard or soft, integral or compact, the formulations of these highly
developed plastic specialties are tailor-made for every envisaged area of
application in close cooperation with customers.
Be it shoe soles, steering wheels or insulating panels, regardless of the
application, the innovative polyurethane systems allow the implementation
of fast, flexible and cost-effective solutions that are perfectly tailor-made to
a wide array of market needs. BASF is continuously refining these systems
together with its customers, so that today it can offer some 8000 systems
that are sold through a global network of 28 system houses.

Product line
Lupranat
Lupraphen
Lupranol
Pluracol
Elastan
Elastocoat
Elastoflex
CosyPUR
Elastofoam
Elastolit
Elastonat
Elastopan
Elastopor
Elasturan
Elastocore
Elastospray
Elastoclear
Autofroth
Elastoskin
Cellasto
CeoDS
Emdicell
Elastollan
Elastocell

46

isocyanates
polyester polyols
polyester polyols
polyester polyols
PU systems
PU systems
PU systems
PU systems
PU systems
PU systems
PU systems
PU systems
PU systems
PU systems
PU systems
PU systems
PU systems
PU systems
PU systems
specialty elastomers
specialty elastomers
specialty elastomers
specialty elastomers
specialty elastomers

BASFs plastics product line

PU Specialty Elastomers

BASF is the worlds market and technology leader when it comes to

thermoplastic and cellular specialty elastomers as well.
Elastollan

Cellasto

Elastollan, a polyurethane elastomer that can be processed thermoplastically, offers particularly good physical properties. This renders
this multi-talented material suitable for demanding applications in
virtually all industries. The main areas of application for Elastollan
granules include the automotive industry, the electronics and shoe
sectors as well as sports and recreation articles.

Components made of microcellular PU elastomers are developed, produced and sold under the brand name Cellasto. Nine out of ten car
manufacturers use Cellasto damping systems in the chassis of their
vehicles. When Cellasto is used as spring aid, stop buffer or body
mount, it absorbs vibrations and reduces noise, thus enhancing the
driving comfort and safety.

47

Polyurethanes in daily life

PU

Polyurethanes (PU) are versatile plastics for a wide array of application areas. The
material properties can be specifically tailored to the application, and can range from
very hard to very soft, as necessary. Polyurethane materials are used in all sectors of
life, be it sports or recreation, in households as well as in cars, furniture, steering
wheels and mattresses, headrests, refrigerators or shoe soles. BASFs polyurethanes
make life more comfortable, safe and pleasant.

48

BASFs plastics product line

Strapazierfhige
Schuhsohlen
bestehen in
vielen Fllen aus
Polyurethan.

49

Overview of products and brands

Autofroth*
Avantra**
Basotect
Capron
Cellasto*
CeoDS*
Colorflexx
CosyPUR*
Ecoflex
Elastan*
Elastocell*
Elastoclear*
Elastocoat*
Elastocore*
Elastoflex*
Elastofoam *
Elastollan*
Elastolit*
Elastonat*
Elastopan*
Elastopor*
Elastoskin**
Elastospray*
Elasturan*
Emdicell*
Lupranat*
Lupranol*
Lupraphen*
Luran
Luran S
Luran SC
LuraSkin
Neopolen E
Neopolen P
Neopor
Palusol
PermaSkin
PFM-System
PlasticsPortal
Pluracol**
Polystyrol,
impact-modified
Polystyrol, standard
SPS*
Styrodur C
Styroflex
Styrolux
Styropor
Terblend N
Terluran
Terluran HH
Terlux
Ultradur
Ultraform
Ultramid
Ultrason E
Ultrason S

Polyurethane system
Styrene/butadiene-polymer
Foam from melamine resin
Polyamide
Components made from microcellular PUR elastomers
Multifunctional composits made from Cellasto components
Service for the self-coloring of polystyrene and ABS
PU soft foam system
Biodegradable plastic/polyester
Systems for sports field surfaces
Components made from microcellular PU elastomers
PU system
PU systems as coating and casting compounds
PU cast system
Soft polyurethane foam systems
Soft integral polyurethane foam systems
Thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers
Rigid integral polyurethane foam systems and RIM systems
Flexible integral polyurethane systems
Polyurethane shoe foam systems
Rigid polyurethane foam systems
Flexible integral polyurethane systems
PU spray foam system
Systems as cold curing cast elastomers
Components made from microcellular PUR elastomers
Diisocyanates
Polyether polyols
Polyether polyols
Styrene/acrylonitrile copolymer
Acrylonitrile/styrene/acrylate polymer
Acrylonitrile/styrene/acrylate polymer and polycarbonate
Film for coating components
Polyethylene foam
Polypropylene foam
Expandable polystyrene
Alkali silicate
System for coating components
System for producing automotive exterior parts
Web-based e-Commerce platform for solutions and information
Polyether polyols
Polystyrene
Polystyrene
Steel-polyurethane systems
Extruded rigid polystyrene foam
Styrene/butadiene block copolymer
Styrene/butadiene block copolymer
Expandable polystyrene
Acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene polymer and polyamide
Acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene polymer
Acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene polymer
Methyl methacrylate/acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene polymer
Polybutylene terephthalate
Polyoxymethylene
Polyamide
Polyethersulfone
Polysulfone

= reg. trademark of BASF Aktiengesellschaft

* = reg. trademark of Elastogran GmbH
** resp. TM*= reg. trademarke of BASF Corporation

50

PU
SB
MF
PA
PU
PU
PU
PU
PU
PU
PU
PU
PU
PU
PU
PU
PU
PU
PU
PU
PU
PU
PU
PU
PU
PU
SAN
ASA
ASA, (ASA+PC)
EPE
EPP
PS-E

PU
PS-I
PS
PU
XPS
SB
SB
PS-E
ABS+PA
ABS
ABS
MABS
PBT, (PBT+ASA)
POM
PA 6, 66, 6/66, 6/6T
PESU
PSU

TM = trademark of BASF Aktiengesellschaft

TM* = trademark of Elastogran GmbH

Please visit our

Internetpages:
www.basf.com
www.basf.com/usa
www.basf.com.sg
www.basf.de

BASF Plastics:
www.basf.de/plastics
Additional information
on polyurethanes can
be found at:
www.elastogran.de
www.basf.com/polyurethanes

on PVC und PVDC can

be found at:
www.solvinpvc.com

Note
The data contained in this publication
are based on our current knowledge
and experience. In view of the many
factors that may affect processing
and application of our product, these
data do not relieve processors from
carrying out their own investigations
and tests; neither do these data
imply any guarantee of certain properties, nor the suitability of the product for a specific purpose. Any
descriptions, drawings, photographs,
data, proportions, weights etc. given
herein may change without prior
information and do not constitute the
agreed contractual quality of the
product. It is the responsibility of the
recipient of our products to ensure
that any proprietary rights and existing laws and legislation are
observed. (September 2004)

Additional information

On this CD you will find:

BASF PlasticsPortal provides:

the current BASF plastics literature as pdf-files

24/7 availability

links to interesting websites

Up-to-date product information

the BASF adresses worldwide

Technical tools such as

Product Selector
Troubleshooter
Campus-i

Installation:
Please start Windows and make sure that the Autostart-function on
the computer is activated. Insert the BASF CD-ROM. The application
will then start automatically. Without Autostart please click in the
register Start.
System Requirements:
Windows 95/98/NT/ME/2000/XP

News from BASF and the plastics industry

Links to competent partner companies
Easy ordering
Why not visit us at the PlasticsPortal and
become a registered user?

Software:
Acrobat Reader version 5.0 or higher

www.PlasticsPortal.com

BASF Aktiengesellschaft
Communication Plastics
KS/KC E100
67056 Ludwigshafen
Germany
Tel.:+49 6 21 60-4 25 52
Fax:+49 6 21 60-4 94 97
plas.com@basf-ag.de

Kompetenz
in Kunststoff
Competence
in Plastics

BASF Plastics
key to your success

Useful information

Information
Links
Downloads

KST 0403 BE