^{Joint News Release:}
BASF and Sika launch epoxy hardener for sustainable solutions in the construction industry

• High-gloss, color-stable, and durable flooring coatings
• Low-emission products with excellent application properties and up to 90 percent less volatile organic compounds (VOCs) compared to conventional hardeners^[1]
• Curing at low temperatures for outdoor flexibility

BASF and Sika have jointly developed a new amine building block for curing epoxy resins, which is now commercially available under BASF’s Baxxodur^® EC 151 brand. This new development is particularly interesting for flooring applications, for example, in production plants, storage and assembly halls, as well as parking decks.

Baxxodur EC 151 gives epoxy resin flooring solutions a low viscosity and optimum flow properties. As a result, the coatings are easy to apply and spread evenly. Compared to conventional hardeners, significantly less thinner is required, and up to 90 percent less volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are released. Baxxodur EC 151 thus enables the production of ultra-low VOC formulations. It also allows for greater use of mineral fillers, which not only lowers costs but also contributes to sustainability.

Epoxy resin coatings formulated with Baxxodur EC 151 cure quickly and thoroughly over a wide temperature range. This extends their applicability during colder months of the year, especially at temperatures between 5 and 10 degrees Celsius, where conventional hardeners tend to “freeze”. Compared with conventional hardeners, the curing time is reduced by up to two thirds, meaning that the coating can be walked on shortly after application.

The cured epoxy resin products are characterized by an aesthetic, glossy surface. Clouding, which is caused by haze formation (so-called “blushing”) and which occurs with conventional hardeners, particularly in edge areas, is avoided. The products have excellent color stability and are resistant to mechanical and chemical influences. This makes them particularly durable and significantly reduces maintenance costs.

As part of the research cooperation, Sika has developed the new amine building block as a high-performance hardener for more efficient and sustainable epoxy products and successfully applied it in Sikafloor^® floor coatings. BASF has developed a suitable manufacturing process and scaled it up from the laboratory to production scale.

“The development of Baxxodur EC 151 is further evidence of how we are supporting our customers in their green transformation,” says Vasilios Galanos, Senior Vice President, Intermediates Europe, BASF. “Working with Sika, we bring our extensive chemistry expertise to successfully implement new sustainable solutions through scalable and cost-efficient processes.”

“Baxxodur EC 151 makes an important contribution to a resource-saving future in the construction industry,” says Urs Burckhardt, Head of Research at Sika. “The close collaboration between Sika and BASF was crucial to the development of this innovative solution, which enables our customers to achieve their efficiency and sustainability goals even better.”

BASF’s Baxxodur^® portfolio is used by customers as highly efficient curing agents in epoxy and polyurea applications for the wind power, electrical, composites, adhesives and flooring industries. BASF offers a comprehensive portfolio of amine-based crosslinkers for these industries. With its performance spectrum, Baxxodur EC 151 ideally complements the product range. Baxxodur® is a registered trademark of BASF SE.

^[1] Based on emission measurements commissioned by Sika according to AgBB, Emicode M1 and LEED v4 with selected Sika products containing Baxxodur® EC 151, such as Sikafloor®-2640, as compared to equivalent products without Baxxodur® EC 151.
 

About Sika

Sika is a specialty chemicals company with a globally leading position in the development and production of systems and products for bonding, sealing, damping, reinforcing, and protection in

the building sector and the industry. Sika has subsidiaries in 102 countries around the world and, in over 400 factories, produces innovative technologies for customers worldwide. In doing so, it

plays a crucial role in enabling the transformation of the construction and transportation industries toward greater environmental compatibility. With around 34,000 employees, the

company generated sales of CHF 11.76 billion in 2024.
 

About BASF

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. Our ambition: We want to be the preferred chemical company to enable our customers’ green transformation. 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, as core businesses, the segments Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, and Nutrition & Care; our standalone businesses are bundled in the segments Surface Technologies and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €65.3 billion in 2024. 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.

P-25-038