BASF switches their portfolio to bio-based Ethyl Acrylate (EA)

• Bio-based EA has a certified ¹⁴C-traceable content of 40% and offers a Product Carbon Footprint Reduction of 30% compared to fossil-based EA

• Readily available drop-in solution for a broad range of applications

• Starting Q4 2024, BASF plans to exclusively offer bio-based Ethyl Acrylate going forward

Ludwigshafen, Germany – BASF gives a clear sign towards biotransformation of their (Meth)Acrylate portfolio and switches their production to bio-based Ethyl Acrylate (EA) starting Q4 2024. With a ¹⁴C-traceable bio content of 40% according to DIN EN 16640 and a low Product Carbon Footprint (PCF¹), bio-based EA from BASF helps customers worldwide to reach their sustainability goals. The product offers a PCF reduction of ~30% compared to fossil-based EA. Additionally to regular bio-based EA, BASF also offers bio-based Ethyl Acrylate BMB ISCC Plus. Here, the remaining carbon content originated from fossil based acrylic acid is ISCC PLUS certified, and by applying BASF’s biomass balance (BMB²) approach, this variant offers a further reduced product carbon footprint.

BASF’s bio-based EA is produced in Ludwigshafen using bioethanol exclusively as alcohol source. The chemical and technical specifications of the new bio-based product are identical with the traditional fossil-based version. “With bio-based EA we can offer our customers a readily available drop-in solution for many applications. Ethyl Acrylate is a well-established product that will support our customers in reaching their sustainability goals. We also want to give a clear signal to the market that we drive our own sustainability transformation. From Q4 2024 onwards, we will phase out fossil-based EA and exclusively offer bio-based Ethyl Acrylate going forward,” says Dr. Reiner Geier, Senior Vice President Industrial Petrochemicals Europe.

BASF’s bio-based Ethyl Acrylate uses sustainable bioethanol predominantly from European sources with grain as a feedstock. BASF applies strict sustainability criteria for the material use of biomass. The bioethanol purchased by BASF does not compete with food production: Bioethanol is mainly produced from residues of starch production, lower quality grains or molasses, all of which are not used in food production. Grains that are neither suitable for use as food nor feed can also be used for bioethanol production.

Bio-based EA offers a broad application range and can be used in a wide variety of polymer dispersion applications, with the Coatings and Adhesives industries as the primary target industries.

BASF’s bio-based Ethyl Acrylate is ‘OK biobased’³ certified by TÜV Austria since March 2024.

To learn more about BASF's Acrylic Monomers, please visit our website: Acrylic Monomers

For additional information, please reach out to your BASF representative or visit our contact website: Contacts - Acrylic Monomers

   

¹ BASF’s product carbon footprint (PCF) calculations for conventional products follow the requirements and guidance given by ISO 14067:2018. A TÜV Rheinland methodology review has certified that the SCOTT PCF methodology developed and used by BASF SE is based on scientific evidence, meets ISO 14067:2018 and the Together for Sustainability PCF policy, and reflects the state of the art (ID no. 0000080389: BASF SE – Certipedia). TÜV Rheinland also confirms that the biomass balance (BMB) PCF calculation method and the associated PCF reduction for BMB-certified products follow the conventional LCA method in accordance with ISO 14067 and the Together for Sustainability (TfS) policy.

² Find out more about BASF’s biomass balance approach at: https://www.basf.com/global/en/who-we-are/sustainability/we-drive-sustainable-solutions/circular-economy/mass-balance-approach/biomass-balance.html

³ Find out more about the ‘OK biobased’ certification here: https://en.tuv.at/ok-biobased-en/  

  

About BASF’s Petrochemicals division

The Petrochemicals division is the starting point for BASF’s petrochemical-based value chains globally. We operate a highly competitive asset base with best-in-class technologies and set the benchmark in safety, sustainability, operational excellence and cost competitiveness. With six Verbund sites and several major production sites, we are close to our customers and present in the largest chemical markets worldwide. The division supplies various value chains across the company and a broad range of customer industries with high-quality chemicals, putting our customers in the center of everything we do and contributing to the organic volume growth of BASF. Our portfolio includes cracker products, industrial gases, acrylics, superabsorbent polymers, styrenic foams, alkylene oxides, glycols, alcohols, solvents and plasticizers. In 2023, the Petrochemicals division generated sales to third parties of about €7.4 billion. Further information is available online at http://petrochemicals.basf.com.

About BASF

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Around 112,000 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 €68.9 billion in 2023. 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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