The use of speciality chemicals in the automotive industry has kept pace with growing requirements of light weighting and emissions reduction. Global trends have warranted the increased use of advanced polymers, which helps carmakers achieve international quality standards. BASF has been a leading solutions provider for speciality materials and chemical solutions for the automotive sector. ATR met Prabir Das, Business Director, Performance Materials-South Asia, BASF, to discuss the innovation witnessed by the materials development industry for automobiles.
BASF’s automotive-related expertise spans from engineering plastics, coatings and fuel additives to catalysts, battery materials and brake fluids, along with chemicals for leather and textiles. The technical expertise generated through extensive global operations allows the company to become a part of OEMs’ development teams to deliver improved efficiencies and top-tier service.
MATERIALS DEVELOPMENT
Due to ongoing R&D and knowledge-sharing across all its centres, BASF is able to drive research and innovation in collaboration with its partners for developing customised solutions for its customers. The new Polyether Polyol developed recently by BASF is intended to improve interior air quality of cars with lower VOCs. As part of their Lupranol brand of speciality chemicals, this solution has been proven to significantly reduce VOC emissions, particularly Aldehyde, making it a more sustainable alternative in the production of polyurethane foams for automotive interior applications such as seats, headli ners, and steering wheels. The company envisages greater focus on improving the interior air quality of cars with lower-VOC products.
Elastoflex is another similar innovation aimed at more eco-friendly manufacturing. It is a waterblown polyurethane spray foam system for in-vehicle insulation, and as the spray foam adapts to various shapes of the substrate, Elastoflex offers full design flexibility for customers. Das said that its low density of 8-10 kg/m3 enables weight and cost savings, which helps reduce overall fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
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