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Ludwigshafen, Germany/Wyandotte, MI - September 6, 2012
- BASF intensifies global research activities
- Collaboration with American customers and universities to be stepped up
BASF has opened a new research lab for thermoplastic
polyurethanes (TPU) in Wyandotte, Michigan. A multidisciplinary
team of product developers, chemists and material scientists will
work to discover new products for the American automotive,
construction, sports and leisure industries. “Closeness to our
American customers and fast and direct contact are key criteria in
enabling us to tap into new ideas and emerging market trends and
produce sustainable innovations,” said Dr. Christian Fischer,
President of Advanced Materials & Systems Research division at
BASF. “The new lab in Wyandotte is the latest strategic step toward
an ever more global overall approach to research.” Fischer added
that it was also an excellent basis for expansion of the existing
scientific network with universities and other research facilities in
North America.
Wyandotte is BASF’s largest research and development site in the
Midwest of the United States. The company already operates a
number of labs specializing in the research and development of
polymers and coatings for the North American market. The new
polyurethane research team further enhances the technology and
knowledge Verbund at this site. “A closely interlinked system of
research, development and applications engineering enables us to
develop new products rapidly and in a highly focused manner. It’s a
concept for success that has proved its worth at other BASF sites and is
now to be strengthened in Wyandotte,” said Dr. Karl-Rudolf Kurtz,
Senior Vice President of the global research department PUR Systems
& Composites and responsible for polyurethane research in Wyandotte.
The initially five-person team’s main working area is TPU synthesis and
processing. The aim is to customize key material properties such as
stiffness, elasticity, transparency and UV stability to meet individual
customer wishes by varying the manufacturing conditions. The basic
properties of thermoplastic polyurethanes include high scratch and
abrasion resistance, high tensile strength, very good cushioning, high
flexibility at cold temperatures, and excellent resistance to oil, grease,
oxygen and ozone. Applications for these highly versatile plastics
include cables and tubes in the automotive, mechanical engineering
and construction industries. Polyurethane as films is used for
packaging, skis and snowboards, air cushioning systems for insoles,
and as fibers for clothing textiles.
About BASF
BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its
portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop
protection products to oil and gas. We combine economic success, social
responsibility and environmental protection. Through science and innovation we
enable our customers in almost all industries to meet the current and future
needs of society. Our products and system solutions contribute to conserving
resources, ensuring healthy food and nutrition and helping to improve the
quality of life. We have summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose:
We create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF posted sales of about €73.5
billion in 2011 and had more than 111,000 employees as of the end of the year.
BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA)
and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at
www.basf.com
Contact
Birgit Lau
Phone: +49 621 60-20732
Fax: +49 621 60-92693
Email birgit.lau@basf.com
BASF SE
ZOA/CM - C100, D-67056
Ludwigshafen, Germany
Tel: +49 621 60-20916, Fax: +49 621 60-92693
Email: presse.kontakt@basf.com
Website: www.basf.com
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