BASF expands biomass balance portfolio for chemical intermediates

BASF has announced the expansion of its biomass balance (BMB) portfolio to include key chemical intermediates such as 1,4-butanediol (BDO), tetrahydrofuran (THF), polytetrahydrofuran (PolyTHF®), and 3-(dimethylamino)propylamine (DMAPA). These products are now certified under ISCC PLUS and REDcert2 standards, contributing to the replacement of fossil resources with renewable raw materials.

REDcert2 and ISCC PLUS are sustainability certification schemes for the use of sustainable biomass as raw material in the chemical industry. A certification according to these certification schemes confirms that the biomass used is sustainable and has been fed into the production system in the required amount. It also confirms that the sustainable biomass has been correctly attributed to the corresponding sales products. The certifications are awarded on the basis of on-site audits conducted by independent auditors.

The newly certified products are produced at BASF’s sites in Ludwigshafen, Germany, and Geismar, Louisiana, U.S.A., with the Ulsan site in South Korea also achieving certification for PolyTHF. This certification allows BASF to offer regionally produced, sustainable chemical intermediates that reduce the cradle-to-gate product carbon footprint.

Ketan Joshi, president of BASF’s Intermediates division, emphasised the company’s commitment to sustainability: “The new certifications for key products in our portfolio demonstrate our commitment to sustainability and our vision to be the preferred partner for sustainable intermediates. With our biomass balance portfolio, we are helping our customers achieve their sustainability goals by replacing fossil-based raw materials and reducing the cradle-to-gate carbon footprint.”

The BMB approach replaces fossil-based raw materials with certified renewable resources at the beginning of the value chain. This results in products with a lower carbon footprint compared to conventional BASF products. For example, using BASF’s THF BMB can lead to a 25% reduction in CO2 emissions, according to Asahi Kasei Corporation.

BASF’s BDO is used in producing PolyTHF, which in turn is used to make elastic fibers for textiles and chemical building blocks for thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU). TPU is widely used in the automotive industry for abrasion-resistant and elastic hoses, films, and cable sheathing. BDO is also a precursor for polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), an engineering plastic used in automotive and electronics industries.

DMAPA is another important product in BASF’s portfolio, used in producing gentle liquid soaps, shampoos, dishwashing detergents, water treatment products, lubricant additives, polyurethane foams, and epoxy resin hardeners.

BASF’s biomass balance approach is independently certified, ensuring transparency and compliance with recognised mass balance standards. The company continues to support the chemical industry’s sustainability transformation through innovative and sustainable chemical intermediates.