BASF and Toyota launch automotive interior trims made with Ultramid^® Deep Gloss grade

• Reduced emissions during the production process
• Grade optimized for highly glossy automotive interiors without compromising quality surface finish and resistance

Japan – March 22, 2023 – BASF introduces a new Ultramid^® Deep Gloss grade, optimized for highly glossy automotive interior parts, and applied for the first time to the garnish of Toyota‘s new Prius. The mold-in-color technology used to produce the new grade is more sustainable, as it improves the production efficiency of automotive parts since the solvent painting process is eliminated. Instead, pre-colored plastic resins are converted into molded parts directly and into the chosen color and finish.

The high melt flowability of the new grade also improves its sustainability value proposition. The innovative material solution flows more quickly and easily through a manufacturing process. This translates to faster production times, as well as lower energy usage and costs.

While being sustainable and possessing a high melt flowability, the optimized grade maintains an excellent quality surface finish and chemical, scratch, UV, and abrasion resistance. It possesses chemical resistance, especially to high concentrations of ethanol, without compromising sterilization requirements. The high melt flowability of the new grade also enables the creation of more intricate and detailed designs – which enhances the aesthetics and visual quality of the automotive interior.

“We are excited to bring value to our customers with the new grade Ultramid Deep Gloss that improves production and cost efficiency in car interior components. This would not have been possible without the close collaboration between Toyota, Tokai Rika, and BASF since 2018 when we first launched Ultramid Deep Gloss. By combining the expertise and resources of BASF and customers, we were able to speed up the development process of the interior trims,” said Desmond Long, Vice President, Business Management Transportation, Performance Materials Asia Pacific, BASF.  

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.