BASF’s state-of-the-art facility will play a crucial role in advancing catalyst technologies and solids processing innovations, with a strong focus on applications for the paints and coatings industry.
The multinational company BASF has officially inaugurated its new Catalyst Development and Solids Processing Center in Ludwigshafen (Germany) to enable pilot-scale synthesis of chemical catalysts that improve product performance and sustainability in paints and coatings.
“With cutting-edge process equipment, our new Catalyst Development and Solids Processing Center enables BASF to conduct more focused and rapid development of innovative catalyst and process technologies, which we and our customers urgently need for the green transformation. It is also an important investment in the future of our research and development activities at the Ludwigshafen site,” has stated Helmut Winterling, President Group Research at BASF.
Catalysts are vital to industrial chemistry, including the production of paints and coatings. They drive efficiency by lowering energy demands, reducing raw material usage, and minimising by-products during production processes. In doing so, catalysts not only reduce costs but also decrease the carbon footprint of end products. These benefits are particularly significant in coatings manufacturing, where sustainable innovations are key to meeting market demands and regulatory expectations.
The paints and coatings sector stands to benefit greatly from BASF’s new facility, as it will accelerate the development of next-generation catalysts and processing techniques. These advancements will help improve the durability, quality, and environmental impact of coatings for industries such as automotive, construction, and consumer goods.
“The technical capabilities of the new research facility will strengthen our innovative power and improve our competitiveness in a global market environment. This new center offers us the ideal conditions to transition lab-developed catalysts to production scale. It will enable us to provide our customers with high-quality pilot samples of new catalysts. We can thus react more flexibly to the needs of the market and supply innovative technological solutions faster – a crucial factor in successfully launching new products,” has added Detlef Ruff, Senior Vice-President Process Catalysts at BASF.
BASF constructed the Catalyst Development and Solids Processing Center in just three years, replacing an older building. The new facility incorporates advanced safety measures and cutting-edge technologies to support research and development efforts. BASF invested a high double-digit million-euro amount into this project, reinforcing its commitment to sustainability and innovation in key markets like paints and coatings.