BASF commissions one of Europe’s most advanced production plants for form release agents

Opened at the company’s in Staßfurt site in May 2015, the new facility produces release agents based on renewable raw materials as well as emulsions from renewable and non renewable raw materials

  • Master Builders Solutions® portfolio includes emulsions and form release agents based on renewable raw materials
  • Aiming for market leadership
  • No labeling requirements also in accordance with new GHS rules

Supporting the increasing demand for ecologically sound and user friendly products, BASF commissioned a new production plant for form release agents that is among the most advanced and most efficient in Europe. Opened at the company’s in Staßfurt site in May 2015, the new facility produces release agents based on renewable raw materials as well as emulsions from renewable and non renewable raw materials. Successful trial operation was completed in early July 2015, and the plant has since commenced regular production.

“This important investment is to strengthen our release agent business in the European marketplace and to help us achieve a leadership position”, says Philipp Kley, Senior Vice President Construction Chemicals Europe at BASF. “We identified the increasing demand for alternatives to mineral oil based release agents at an early stage, and aligned our research efforts accordingly. This is why now, at just the right time, we can provide our customers with an innovation that fills a gap in the market and can give our customers a competitive advantage.” Form release agents facilitate the easy removal of the concrete from its formwork; at the same time, they also enhance the surface of precast concrete elements and cast in place concrete.

“This investment underpins the importance of the Staßfurt site”, states Jan Klügge, Head of Marketing, Ready Mix Europe. “Staßfurt is our European production hub for the release agents from the Master Builders Solutions portfolio. Our other European sites will also be supplied from here, facilitating this useful addition to the portfolio at all BASF sites.”

 

Ease of use and reduced production costs

The Master Builders Solutions experts have, among others, developed new release agent formulations based on natural raw materials such as plant oil. “The new products perform exceptionally well. They provide excellent surface quality, are efficient and easy to use, and lower concrete manufacturers’ production costs when applied correctly”, says Herwig Heegewaldt, responsible for BASF’s concrete admixtures business in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The products are available under the MasterFinish product name. BASF offers a complete range of MasterFinish form release agents under the Master Builders Solutions umbrella brand, as well as in depth application technical advice on the selection of the right product and the best possible application process.

The new release agents made from natural raw materials provide an alternative to mineral‑oil‑based release agents, most of which have to carry an “Aspiration Hazard” label as of 1 June 2015. This is due to the labeling requirements of GHS. The new Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals now also applies to chemical mixtures and thus to concrete release agents. Based on renewable raw materials release agents from BASF are not classified hazardous and will not require labeling.

GHS is a globally standardized system for the labeling of chemicals and the classification of the hazards they might entail. Initiated by the United Nations, the system is to provide improved safety and reduce complexities when trading chemicals. In Europe, it has come into effect in December 2010 for chemical substances and in June 2015 for chemical mixtures, which also include concrete release agents.

More information on these as well as on other innovative BASF products for the construction industry can be found at: www.master-builders-solutions.basf.co.uk.

 

Master Builders Solutions from BASF

Under the Master Builders Solutions® brand, BASF bundles its advanced chemical solutions for new construction, maintenance, repair and renovation of structures. Master Builders Solutions is built on the experience gained from more than 100 years in the construction industry. The comprehensive portfolio under the brand encompasses concrete admixtures, form release agents, cement additives, chemical solutions for underground construction, waterproofing solutions, sealants, repair and protection solutions, performance grouts, and performance flooring solutions.

Master Builders Solutions is backed by a global community of BASF construction experts. To solve our customers’ specific construction challenges, we combine the suitable elements of our portfolio, our know-how across areas of expertise and regions, and draw on the experience gained in countless construction projects worldwide. We leverage global BASF technologies as well as our in-depth knowledge of local building needs, to develop innovations that help make our customers more successful and drive sustainable construction.

 

About the Construction Chemicals division

BASF’s Construction Chemicals division offers advanced chemicals solutions for new construction, maintenance, repair and renovation of structures: Our comprehensive portfolio encompasses concrete admixtures, cement additives, chemical solutions for underground construction, waterproofing systems, sealants, concrete repair & protection systems, performance grouts, performance flooring systems, tile fixing systems, expansion control systems and wood protection solutions.

The Construction Chemicals division’s about 5,400 employees form a global community of construction experts. To solve our customers’ specific construction challenges from conception through to completion of a project, we combine our know-how across areas of expertise and regions and draw on the experience gained in countless construction projects worldwide. We leverage global BASF technologies, as well as our in-depth knowledge of local building needs, to develop innovations that help make our customers more successful and drive sustainable construction.

The division operates production sites and sales centers in more than 50 countries and achieved sales of about €2.1 billion in 2014.

 

About BASF

At BASF, we create chemistry – and have been doing so for 150 years. Our portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas. As the world’s leading chemical company, 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 over €74 billion in 2014 and around 113,000 employees as of the end of the year. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.

Source

BASF, press release, 2015-07-14.

Supplier

BASF SE

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