News Feature: BASF ups the pace of collaboration in China

Jane Ho rounds up some of the latest developments at BASF's activities in China during the spring

Shanghai, China – BASF announced at least three polyurethane-related partnerships with Chinese companies in early summer. It is also investing in a private equity fund that is managed by a Chinese firm that focuses on the chemical industry.

In addition to cooperating with Chinese metal building enclosure supplier Wiskind on PU insulation panels, BASF and Shanghai Harvest Insulation Engineering are developing PU insulation. Shanghai Harvest specialises in insulation for the cryogenic and shipbuilding industries in China.

‘Demand for cryogenic insulation is surging,' said Larsen Kolberg, BASF's head of business management, construction industry, performance materials Asia Pacific. 'This is due to China’s continuous efforts to diversify its energy mix.' China is moving from coal to other resources, such as natural gas.

BASF has agreed that, in China, it will exclusively supply its polyurethane insulation products to Harvest. The deal also includes PU spray foam, polyurea coating systems, adhesives and Elastopor cryogenic block foam systems.

Harvest will use Elastopor to insulate ships and pipelines carrying liquefied gases from -60°C to -163°C. Harvest’s carrier ships will be covered in Elastocoat polyureas. The Chinese company will be responsible for engineering, design, product and business development.

The company has been working with BASF in other areas since 2012.

In the automotive area, BASF and Liyang Shanhu Industry Auto Trim Material are developing lightweight and low-emission PU systems.

BASF and Shanhu have worked together on paper honeycomb trunk floors over the past decade. Recently developed applications include reinforced polyurethane composites and sound-absorbing low-VOC polyurethane foam for headliners.

The agreement also includes sound absorbing foam, paper honeycomb composites and new skin materials.

Meanwhile, the  chemical giant’s investment arm BASF Venture Capital has become a limited partner of Longwater Advanced Materials Fund. China’s Longwater Investment manages the fund, which covers a variety of industrial segments with Chinese and global interests.