Ludwigshafen, Germany -- BASF is to showcase chemistry's contribution to sustainable construction at the BAU 2013 trade fair in Munich, Germany, from 14-19 Jan 2013,in hall A4/stand 303.
The company's numerous solutions include products to raise the energy efficiency of buildings and to make buildings more durable and so reduce maintenance and repair. BASF also supports architects and planners keen to try out new design approaches, and presents insights into the latest research on electrochromic pigments for ambient interior lighting.
BASF is also a partner in the special show 'Sustainable construction: a transparent guide to the appropriate product,' hosted by the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB).
"Our goal is to integrate sustainability into our business even more than before. We understand sustainable construction to be a process that combines economic viability, conservation of resources, environment protection and addresses social needs.
Chemical innovations are the key to sustainable building," said BASF manager Jacques Delmoitiez, whose responsibilities in Europe, the Middle East and Africa include promoting dialogue between the construction industry and BASF.
The construction industry is one of BASF's key customers, accounting for five to ten percent of total sales.
One aim is to help develop solutions for more energy-efficient buildings. Construction and housing accounts for about 40 percent of global energy consumption and 30 percent of global CO2 emissions, BASF explains.
This impact can be reduced significantly. The range of solutions BASF presents at BAU includes perimeter insulation, window frames with reduced thermal bridges, and insulating systems for frontage, roofs and solar collectors.
Insulation solutions that contribute to energy efficiency include polyurethane applications. BASF's BAU exhibits include its tried and tested Elastopor and Elastopir rigid polyurethane foam boards for insulating roofs, walls, floors and ceilings and PU sandwich elements for roofs and facades.
With features including ultra-low thermal conductivity (grade 024), these materials are also used for rigid polyurethane foam insulation systems for window frames and window blinds.
BASF will also highlight other insulation materials including Neopor, an advanced version based on the classic polystyrene insulation material Styropor, and Basotect, an open-cell i foam made from melamine resin.
BASF materials to help to protect structures from weathering, reducing maintenance and repair work include roof linings with a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) layer to protect roofs from the elements.
Another development is Permaskin, a TPU coating for structured and three-dimensional building elements such as doors, shutters, cladding, panelling and garage doors. This enhances surface appearance, offering a range from monochrome surfaces to wood-look finishes.
