BASF to showcase metal organic frameworks (MOFs) for energy storage at NGV Americas Conference

• Focus on transportation market and solutions to enable natural gas-powered mobility
• Heavy duty demonstration vehicle up-fitted with BASF technology on display

 

ISELIN, NJ, November 13, 2013 – BASF will showcase its advanced metal organic framework (MOF) solutions for the transportation industry at the 2013 North American Natural Gas Vehicle (NGV) Conference & Expo, taking place Nov. 18-21 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia.

BASF is a global leader in MOF materials research and large-scale production. MOFs are highly crystalline structures with nanometer-sized pores that allow for the efficient storage of natural gas and other gases such as hydrogen and carbon dioxide. MOF materials provide high surface area on which gases are adsorbed. For example, a one gram sample of MOF materials offers a surface area equivalent to a football (soccer) field.

Currently, BASF is focused on commercializing MOF solutions for the transportation industry. The company has developed patented MOF materials that allow for the increased storage of natural gas, offering the potential to significantly increase vehicle range or to operate fuel storage tanks and natural gas compression systems at lower pressures.

BASF is partnering with several technology, development and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to pilot the use of MOF materials for enhanced natural gas storage in vehicles in Europe, Asia and North America.

Demonstration vehicles equipped with natural gas fuel systems containing BASF MOF materials were introduced in 2013, and a heavy duty Kenworth truck up-fitted with BASF’s energy storage technology will also be on display at the NGV Americas conference.  The storage system on this class 7 T440 truck utilizes a Type IV natural gas storage pressure vessel, designed and up-fitted by Quantum Technologies, a leader in the development and production of integrated natural gas fuel storage systems.  The demonstration truck is also equipped with a BASF natural gas emissions catalyst. 

“We have made great progress in advancing our MOF technology from the laboratory to the pilot testing phase and we continue to work closely with a number of transportation industry counterparts to validate this technology in real-world applications, with a particular focus on fleet vehicle applications,” said Joseph Lynch, Director, Global Energy Storage for BASF.  “Once our extensive testing and validation efforts are complete, we intend to bring our MOF materials to market for use in both light and heavy duty vehicles over the next 12 to 18 months.”

In 2012, BASF received the Pierre Potier Prize for research achievements in the area of metal organic frameworks. The award pays tribute to chemical innovations that support sustainable development.

Additional information on BASF’s Energy Storage solutions can be found at: www.catalysts.basf.com/mof. 

For press photo, please click on the following link:

http://www.basf.us/pressphotos/11-13-13_BASFMOF.jpg

Suggested caption: A heavy duty Kenworth demonstration truck equipped with a natural gas fuel system containing BASF metal organic framework (MOF) energy storage materials.

About BASF’s Catalysts Division

BASF’s Catalysts division is the world’s leading supplier of environmental and process catalysts. The group offers exceptional expertise in the development of technologies that protect the air we breathe, produce the fuels that power our world and ensure efficient production of a wide variety of chemicals, plastics and other products, including advanced battery materials. By leveraging our industry-leading R&D platforms, passion for innovation and deep knowledge of precious and base metals, BASF’s Catalysts division develops unique, proprietary solutions that drive customer success. Further information on BASF’s Catalysts division is available on the Internet at www.catalysts.basf.com.

BASF - The Chemical Company

BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has more than 16,600 employees in North America, and had sales of $18.5 billion in 2012. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, visit www.basf.us.

BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Through science and innovation, we enable our customers in nearly every industry to meet the current and future needs of society. Our products and solutions contribute to conserving resources, ensuring nutrition and improving quality of life. We have summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose: We create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF had sales of €72.1 billion in 2012 and more than 110,000 employees as of the end of the year. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.

P-13-452