BASF Plastics and Colorants Together at the Fakuma

The thermoplastics experts and visitors will have an opportunity to discuss the self-colouring of Ultradur (PBT) and Ultraform (POM), special services for industrial and automotive designers as well as highly transparent new packaging materials.

18/08/06 This year, BASF will be presenting its thermoplastic specialties, polyurethanes and pigments together for the first time at Fakuma, the international trade fair for plastics processing in Friedrichshafen, Germany. From October 17 to 21, BASF will host plastics processors and designers in Hall B4, Stand 405. The thermoplastics experts and visitors will have an opportunity to discuss the self-colouring of Ultradur (PBT) and Ultraform (POM), special services for industrial and automotive designers as well as highly transparent new packaging materials. Polyurethane specialists from BASF’s subsidiary Elastogran will show the latest developments with Elastollan, the multi-talented PUR. From the realm of pigments and masterbatch preparations, BASF will be demonstrating its competence in dyeing engineering plastics.

Target group: designers

A designer looks at things differently from an engineer, but both have to design their products with an eye towards functional and aesthetic requirements. BASF is focusing on this and plans to make its products and know-how accessible to designers as well. The designfabrik, inaugurated in May of 2006 at BASF’s site in Ludwigshafen, is one of several approaches for involving designers in the early stages of the product development process. Along with consultation on design and processing that are geared towards plastics, BASF also offers approximately 20,000 colour shades, 50 surface textures and prompt sample production, so that a specific colour and surface impression can be devised together with the designer within one workday.

Everyone a designer in their own right: self-colouring of Ultradur High Speed and Ultraform

There are interesting new insights into Ultradur High Speed, the very easy-flowing PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) introduced for the first time in 2004. The plastic can be dyed much more easily than conventional PBT. In comparison to other PBT variants, only about 50 percent of the amount of colour batch is needed in order to colour an injection-moulded product made of Ultradur High Speed in the desired tone. For Ultraform LEV, the low emission version of BASF’s POM (polyoxymethylene; polyacetal), several masterbatches are now available in newest automotive interior shades. So here as well self-colouring becomes easy and leads to distinct cost-savings.

Packaging also calls for design: SAN, SBS and ASA

The importance of transparency for packaging is evident from two new items in BASF’s styrene plastic product line. In the case of the new Luran Crystal Clear, the developers have eliminated the often unwanted yellow tinge encountered with SAN (styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer) and are now offering an even more transparent product. Its strong points come to the fore especially in upscale packaging for cosmetics. Also when it comes to blister packaging of the type used for the presentation of small electronic devices, Styrolux 3G46, a material that is even more transparent, has been available since July of 2006 and is part of the SBS thermoplastic product line. Like other items from the Styrolux assortment, it can be extruded, thermoformed and injection moulded. If one also considers thin ASA layers for doors and windows as packaging, PermaSkin then completes the circle. This coating technology allows the application of weathering-resistant and UV-stable films made of Luran S (acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylate copolymer).

Headed for a prize: IF Communication Design Award for Ultrason

The thermoplastic in BASF’s product line that lends itself best for technically demanding applications is Ultrason (PES/PSU: polyether sulfone/polysulfone). In its quest to offer its capabilities to an even larger audience, BASF has joined forces with the prominent innovation agency Ideo from Munich, Germany and developed a communication approach for which these two companies will share the renowned Industry Forum (IF) Communication Design Award 2006. The outcome of this cooperative effort can be viewed at the Fakuma.

Effect colours for iridescent surfaces

BASF Masterbatch is showcasing its multifaceted colour and additive program for the dyeing of standard polymers and engineering plastics for all of the processing techniques commonly employed in the plastics industry. Moreover, visitors can obtain information about colour effects for packaging and many other applications. The masterbatch preparations are available in the form of granules, powder mixtures or liquid colorants, depending on the customer’s wishes.

Polyurethane (PUR)

Elastogran will be presenting tailor-made customer solutions and innovative applications with Elastollan, a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (TPU). As will be demonstrated, this material can be used, among other things, for tube production, films and vehicle interior parts. But the range of applications is much broader, encompassing the electronics sector and even agriculture. Visitors to the trade fair will also find other, select PUR automotive applications.