BASF’s Performance Materials expands its sustainable portfolio with innovative polyurethanes recycling solutions

• Recycled polyurethanes materials available for the footwear, automotive, and synthetic leather industries under the ‘Loop’ portfolio in China
• BASF at Chinaplas 2025: Hall 17, D91, Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center (Shenzhen)

Shanghai, China – March 25, 2025 – At CHINAPLAS 2025, BASF will showcase its leadership in polyurethanes (PU) through various innovations. The progress of its innovative PU recycling technology comes as a flagship solution at the event. With ‘Loop’, BASF introduces a range of PU solutions incorporating recycled content, market-ready and tailored for the footwear, automotive and synthetic leather industries.

It starts with BASF’s recyclable PU Systems. The waste, a valuable resource that turns the end into a new beginning, is segregated and shredded in a dedicated facility. There, the patented PU recycling technology uses a combination of sophisticated advanced liquification techniques to recycle polyurethanes products into high-quality recycled materials that meet industry standards and has strong commercial viability. Finally, the recycled raw materials are used to make new PU solutions, transforming ‘Loop’ into a reality for polyurethanes. 

“PU have traditionally been difficult to recycle. Over the past several years, we have made significant investments to develop this PU recycling technology. It is not only a significant advancement in technology, but also sustainable management of PU materials,” said Silvia Mok, Vice President, Business Management PU Systems, Performance Materials Asia Pacific, BASF. “Recyclable PU Systems ‘Loop’ is a testament of our commitment to innovation in recycling and our focus on creating value from waste generated across the value chains. We will extend its application to a variety of industries including furniture, construction and household appliances in the future.”

At CHINAPLAS 2025, BASF will demonstrate its potential to reshape the PU landscape.

For press photo and updates on BASF at CHINAPLAS 2025, click here.

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.

About BASF’s Performance Materials division

BASF’s Performance Materials division leads the transformation of the plastics industry by merging sustainability with a competitive edge. Our broad material competencies and product portfolio, backed by deep industry knowledge and understanding, make us the ideal one-stop-shop. With dedicated material-focused teams and strong R&D power, we constantly deliver industry-leading technologies and expertise to our customers worldwide. Our global network ensures a competitive advantage through superior innovations, regional proximity, and tailor-made solutions that meet local market demands. We are committed to enhancing performance and efficiency across sectors such as automotive, consumer goods, industrial applications, and construction. With BASF, our partners embark on #OurPlasticsJourney towards a more circular and sustainable future. In 2024, the Performance Materials division achieved global sales of €6.8 billion. Join #OurPlasticsJourney on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/basf-performance-materials/ and in our newsletter https://plastics-rubber.basf.com/global/en/performance_polymers/plastics-journey-newsletter