German chemical giant BASF has introduced a groundbreaking innovation in the form of biomass balanced plastic additives. These additives have the potential to reduce a product’s carbon footprint by up to 60%. Unlike traditional plastic additives that rely on fossil fuel-based feedstocks, BASF’s new products are manufactured using renewable feedstocks. This shift towards sustainable materials aligns with companies’ sustainability targets and helps in reducing carbon emissions.
BASF is a leading global partner for plastic additives and is committed to supporting customer sustainability goals through its biomass balance approach. The company’s new additives have been certified by TÜV Nord for mass balance, in accordance with the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC Plus) standards.
The biomass balance approach employed by BASF is a groundbreaking method of utilizing renewable resources in the chemical industry. It involves the use of renewable raw materials, such as bio-naphtha or biomethane derived from organic wastes, crops, or vegetable oils, as feedstock in the production process. This approach is integrated into BASF’s production system, extending from basic chemicals to high-value-added products like coatings.
The ISCC Plus certification program ensures the traceability of renewable resources throughout the value chain, from feedstocks to the final product. BASF allocates the renewable resources used in its production process to the respective sales products using a third-party verified certification method. These biomass balanced products are marketed under the BMBcert™ portfolio and are part of BASF’s VALERAS™ portfolio, which aims to create new value for plastics.
The first certified biomass balanced plastic additives offered by BASF include Irganox 1010 BMBcert and Irganox 1076 FD BMBcert. Initially, these additives will be produced at BASF’s site in Kaisten, Switzerland, with plans for availability in McIntosh, USA in early 2024. These innovative products offer the same performance, quality, and regulatory compliance as conventional grades, eliminating the need for customers to reformulate their products or requalify the additives.
One of the key benefits of these additives is their significant reduction in cradle-to-gate carbon emissions. By utilizing sustainably sourced renewable feedstocks, the carbon footprint of the products is lowered by up to 60% compared to the global average for conventional grades. Additionally, these biomass balanced additives help save fossil resources by replacing virgin fossil fuel feedstocks with renewable resources.
The independent certification of BASF’s plastic additives validates that they meet the requirements of REDcert2, ensuring the replacement of fossil feedstocks. Furthermore, these additives offer identical performance to other BASF products, such as dispersions and superabsorbents, while significantly reducing carbon emissions.
Joerg Bentlage, a representative from BASF, highlighted the significance of these sustainable plastic additives, stating, “By leveraging BASF’s highly integrated global production network, we are able to produce these low carbon footprint solutions with the same performance characteristics.” This innovation contributes to global sustainable development by saving fossil resources, reducing carbon emissions, and promoting the use of renewable resources.
BASF’s biomass balanced plastic additives provide partner companies with a means to achieve their sustainability goals without compromising on performance and quality. This represents a significant step towards sustainability in the chemical industry, demonstrating BASF’s commitment to driving positive change and innovation.
