Factbook

Performance Materials

The Performance Materials division is at the forefront of the much-needed sustainability transformation in plastics. Our experts co-create products with customers to bring innovations to major industry sectors such as transportation, consumer goods, industrial applications and construction. These solutions contribute to a sustainable future by pushing the boundaries in thermal resistance, robustness and lightweight applications. Today, a substantial share of our portfolio is already available with significantly lower or even net-zero carbon footprints, and we aim to increase the proportion of plastics based on alternative raw materials in our global sales to 20% by 2030.

Sales by region 2023 (location of customer)

Sales by direct customer industry 2023

1 Others includes customer industries such as electronics and electric, new energy as well as the distribution business.

Portfolio

Engineering plastics

Engineering plastics are used in numerous applications, such as automotive engineering, the electrical and electronics sectors, household appliances and precision technology as well as in medical technology. This product group includes Ultraform^® based on polyoxymethylene (POM), Ultradur^® based on polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) and Ultramid® based on polyamide (PA) and polyphthalamide (PPA).

Functional foams

Basotect^® is a flexible open-cell functional foam made from melamine resin that is used for sound and thermal insulation in the construction and transportation industries and as a cleaning sponge in the consumer industry.

Polyurethanes

Polyurethane solutions make life more comfortable, safer and more pleasant, while helping to save energy. They contribute toward improved insulation of buildings and household appliances, light-weight design of cars and other consumer products. Several industry fields use the unique advantages of polyurethanes provided with the knowledge and experience of BASF’s polyurethane experts worldwide. This product group includes PU (polyurethane) systems, TPU (thermoplastic polyurethanes) and MPU (microcellular polyurethane or Cellasto^®) technologies.

Specialty plastics

Specialty plastics include certified compostable and soil-biodegradable biopolymers, mainly used in various packaging applications and sold under the ecoflex^® and ecovio^® brands, as well as Ultrason^®, a high-temperature plastic based on polyarylethersulfone (PPSU, PSU, PESU) mainly used for water filtration and household applications.

BASF’s market position and main competitors

The Performance Materials division holds one of the top three market positions in almost all of the strategic business areas in which it is active.

The main competitors (alphabetical order) include Celanese, Covestro, Dow, Envalior, Huntsman, Polyplastics, Solvay and Wanhua.

Focus of research and development

Our focus is on all stages of the plastics journey: make, use and recycle. The make phase is about improving how plastics are made, from smarter product design to the choice of raw materials and the manufacturing process itself. In the use phase, we improve plastics’ strengths such as light weight, robustness and thermal resistance. At the end of the product lifecycle, the recycle phase looks at how we can close the loop to achieve a circular economy. We are involved in the early stage of the product development and design in order to help our customers transform toward CO₂ neutrality.

Key capabilities of BASF

Close collaboration with key customers in target industries worldwide

Innovation in products, applications, processes and business models

Technical, engineering and application competence

Operational excellence ensuring reliability and consistent quality

Acquisitions/JVs/investments

From 2021 onward

Product group	Description	Year
Engineering plastics	New Ultramid^® (PA) and Ultradur^® (PBT) plants in Zhanjiang, China	2022
	Expansion of Ultramid^® (PA) capacity in Gujarat, India	2022
	Expansion of Ultramid^® (PA) and Ultradur^® (PBT) in Pasir Gudang, Malaysia	2023
Polyurethanes	New TPU plant in Zhanjiang, China	2023

Divestitures/shutdowns

From 2021 onward

Product group	Description	Year
Engineering plastics	Closure of Ultramid^® compounding site in Leuna, Germany	2022
Functional foams	Sale of Neopolen^® business to Knauf Industries	2023

Major nameplate capacities of BASF¹

Thousand metric tons per year

Product group	Capacity
Engineering plastics	905

1 All capacities are included at 100%, including plants belonging to joint operations and joint ventures.

Innovation example

Ultrasim^® celebrates 25 years as a pioneer in material simulation

Powered by unique and ultra-fast simulation methods, extensive material data, and easy-to-access web services, BASF’s computer-aided engineering (CAE) competence Ultrasim^® creates an unparalleled offering. As a pioneer in the field, BASF introduced its first integrative simulation capability in 1999, laying the foundation for what is today a strong global network. In 2024, Ultrasim^® celebrates 25 years of helping customers use BASF plastics and foams to develop sustainable innovations in industries ranging from automotive to appliances, footwear, furniture and more.

Discover more at www.ultrasim.basf.com

Last UpdateMay 27, 2024