BASF partners with Oriental Yuhong for solar rooftop solutions in China

• Optimized formulations of Tinuvin^® and Chimassorb^® to improve TPO membranes used in rooftop solar systems
• Enhanced TPO membranes to meet newly updated national standards

BASF and Oriental Yuhong, a leading Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO) roofing membrane producer in China, are teaming up to develop solar roofing membranes used in buildings. The new development aims to meet China’s rapidly growing demand for rooftop solar panels.

As the country’s solar PV installations reached a record high of 51 gigawatts, with rooftops accounting for more than one-third of the installed capacity in 2022*, the quality of TPO roofing membranes, including their waterproofing performance, has become critical.

BASF’s optimized light stabilizer formulations, Tinuvin^® and Chimassorb^®, protect TPO membranes from degradation and discoloration while providing weathering resistance and long-term strength, increasing the lifetime of roofing membranes. Their increased lifespan both conserves resources and reduces waste during maintenance and repair.

In addition, BASF’s collaboration with Oriental Yuhong addresses the challenges caused by the increasing number of PV panels installed on roofs. As the panels absorb high amounts of sunlight, their temperatures can reach up to 70°C, accelerating the aging process of TPO roofing membranes.

“Our new Tinuvin^® and Chimassorb^® formulations together with technical support have improved the durability of Oriental Yuhong’s TPO membranes, resulting in roofs that last longer even with solar panels,” said Hazel Sprafke, Vice President, Global Business Management Plastic Additives, Asia Pacific. “More importantly, this will help Oriental Yuhong meet China’s newly updated GB55030 standards, which require roofing materials to last a minimum of 20 years.”

Due to the government’s recent county-level trials that could increase rooftop solar power generation, the distributed solar PV market is expected to gain further momentum in 2023, contributing to China’s net-zero climate goals.

* Source: China Photovoltaic Industry Association (CPIA)

About BASF Plastic Additives

BASF is a leading supplier, manufacturer, and innovation partner of plastic additives. Its comprehensive and innovative product portfolio includes additives that provide ease in processing, and heat and light resistance to a variety of polymers and applications including molded articles, films, fibers, sheets, and extruded profiles. The portfolio is constantly analyzed, assessed and actively improved towards solutions which make a larger contribution to sustainability. More information about plastic additives: www.plasticadditives.basf.com.

BASF plastic additives is part of BASF’s Performance Chemicals division. The division’s portfolio also includes fuel and lubricant solutions, as well as oilfield chemicals and mining solutions. Customers from a variety of industries including Chemicals, Plastics, Consumer Goods, Energy & Resources and Automotive & Transportation benefit from our innovative solutions. To learn more, visit http://www.performancechemicals.basf.com.

About BASF

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. More than 111,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio comprises six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €87.3 billion in 2022. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the United States. Further information at www.basf.com.

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