Becoming sustainable: how BASF experts are reshaping the world of plastics

Since its invention in 1907, plastic has evolved and transformed into a household item. Today, it can be found in virtually everything, from clothing to food packaging, cars and electronic devices. It is also in some of the most cutting-edge technologies today, including prosthetic limbs and spacecrafts.

The complex polymer chains stemming from a single carbon atom have many outstanding characteristics that explain their popularity over the years: it’s durable, lightweight, versatile, it can preserve foods more efficiently, it’s resistant to corrosion, and it’s also easier to clean compared to other materials.

However, the novelty of plastic has shifted in more recent years. This is primarily due to pollution and waste, mostly caused by excessive use of single-use plastics, a low recycling rate and degradability, among other factors.

The main challenges around plastics center on their production and usage. Changing market trends, such as eliminating excessive packaging, could generate a massive change in plastic pollution.

A recent report by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) indicates that global plastic pollution could be reduced by 80% in 2040 if measures such as this are adopted.

Plastics are increasingly being recycled every year. The volume of plastic recycling in the U.S. alone in 2021 increased by 280.3 million pounds from 2020, according to the U.S. Post-consumer Plastic Recycling Data Report.

Additionally, many plastics are also being incorporated into chemical production as feedstock, raw material to create new products. 

America’s Change Makers

When it comes to production, there has also been a massive shift in mindset towards sustainability. Expert minds across North America and the world are looking for innovative solutions to change plastic, making it more efficient and recyclable, and fostering a circular economy, altering the way this material is produced, used and reused. And as the largest chemical company in the world, BASF is doing its part to drive this transformation.

Creative, outside-the-box thinkers and leaders across the entire company have been devising and implementing innovative, sustainably-focused solutions to tackle plastic production, fostering a circular economy.

Several of these brilliant minds have been featured in America’s Change Makers (ACM), a campaign by America’s Plastic Makers, an industry association comprised of The American Chemistry Council’s Plastics Division and its member companies which include BASF. The ACM campaign highlights the efforts of companies and employees toward more sustainable plastic production and reutilization.

The series includes videos from:

• Jeanne Hankett, Sustainability Lead at BASF and manager of BASF’s Biodegradation and Microplastics Center of Excellence; 
• Staci Wegener, Business Director, Polyurethanes in BASF Performance Materials North America*; 
• Elizabeth Miller, Technical Service and Development  Representative for Polyurethane Flexible Foams; 
• Elias Shakour, Head of Business Development for eMobility – Polyurethanes*;
• Susan Jackson, Head of Communications and Sustainability for the Performance Materials business in North America. They all offer their unique skills, perspectives and ideas to change the world of plastics.

Learn about their stories and work in the videos below:

Plastic can be produced and reused sustainably, and these Change Makers from BASF are leading the charge along with many other brilliant minds to see the transformation through.

Published on April 8, 2024, by Mariana Licio.

For media inquiries or to repurpose this article, please contact: lisa.brown@basf.com

^{* Staci Wegener and Elias Shakour have transitioned to new roles at BASF since the videos were produced, but they are still working passionately in the world of plastics.}