BASF Bradford wins two Chemical Industry awards

BASF plc’s Bradford site has won Chemical Industry Awards for Reputation and Innovation.

The annual Awards, which recognise best practice and excellence, were presented at a Chemical Industries Association dinner in Leeds attended by shortlisted companies from throughout the UK.

The Kids’ Lab at Bradford won the Reputation award, which recognises the company that has demonstrated excellence in managing and enhancing its external reputation with key stakeholders.

BASF Kids’ Lab is a unique learning opportunity for children aged 9-11. 60 STEM trained volunteers run the lab, positively promoting science and the site, bringing together employees with the local community. After visiting, participants pass on the fantastic work carried out to family members and friends – BASF’s neighbours. This enables the company to build positive relationships, important in an emergency or crisis situation, therefore protecting their license to operate

BASF plc, Bradford also received the GSK Innovation Award for the new Bio-Acrylamide plant which demonstrated a successful example of Innovation.

BASF switched over its production process for the monomer acrylamide – used to produce water-soluble flocculation aids for wastewater treatment, enhanced oil recovery, mineral processing and papermaking – to a modern enzyme-based process. The new process results in less waste, lower energy consumption and greater environmental compatibility and is easier to convert into the final polymer.

“These awards from the CIA are fantastic recognition for the Bradford site. Our Kids’ Lab volunteers have worked hard over the years promoting science to young learners and really deserved the reputation award. Looking at Bio Acrylamide, the development from research to construction involved many people and it was brilliant to be able to recognise them all through this award.” commented Dave Calder, BASF’s Site Manager for Bradford and Grimsby.