BASF pushes UV filter production capacities

Ludwigshafen, Germany – December 19, 2019 – BASF as market leader for UV filters and ingredients used in sun care products, performs a range of production expansion activities for UV filters, so as to continue to support the global market demand and its global customer growth. Debottlenecking activities at the production sites Grenzach and Ludwigshafen were a first step and will lead to double digit percent increase of production capacities, e.g. for the value chains of Tinosorb^® S, Uvinul^® A Plus and Uvinul^® T150.

The global demand for modern UV filters increased in the recent years, driven by growing awareness of the importance of sun care for consumer’s skin health, and also due to certain reformulation trends e.g. to octocrylene-free products in Europe.

The activities concentrate on three UV filters that applied in combination set a benchmark for broad band protection. Tinosorb S is excellent in UVA and UVB absorption and is used as a standard for high SPF sunscreens. Uvinul A Plus is perfect in absorbing UVA radiation, whereas Uvinul T150 is the most efficient UVB filter in the market.

The BASF facilities in Grenzach produce UV filters that are used in sunscreen products. The site is also home to the global competence center for the development of new UV filters and the company’s technical service, which advises producers of sunscreen products around the world on the best filter combinations and formulations. At the production site in Ludwigshafen, several UV filters of the Uvinul product range are produced. Tinosorb S is produced at the Kaohsiung site in Taiwan.

BASF is the world’s leading provider of ingredients used in UV protection products. Four of the last five UV filters approved for use in the EU have been developed by BASF. Its portfolio of sun protection products includes a wide range of care ingredients used in the production of sunscreens.

About the Care Chemicals division at BASF

The BASF Care Chemicals division offers a broad range of ingredients for personal care, home care, industrial & institutional cleaning, and technical applications. We are a leading global supplier for the cosmetics industry as well as the detergents and cleaners industry, and support our customers with innovative and sustainable products, solutions and concepts. The division’s high-performance product portfolio includes surfactants, emulsifiers, polymers, emollients, chelating agents, cosmetic active ingredients and UV filters. We have production and development sites in all regions and are expanding our presence in emerging markets. Further information is available online at www.care-chemicals.basf.com.

About BASF

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. The approximately 122,000 employees in the BASF Group work on contributing to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio is organized into six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of around €63 billion in 2018. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the USA. Further information at www.basf.com.

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