Competence in Plastics - Brochure - BASF Plastics Portal

BASF has achieved many major breakthroughs in the plastics sector,
such as the first industrial-scale manufacture of polystyrene in 1930
and polyamide in 1940. This was followed 10 years later by the invention
of Styropor ® . Research into many new basic polymer units at the
beginning of the plastics era has resulted in improved combinations of
properties, especially by modifying known polymers, and has yielded
creative ideas for processing technologies. Two examples are the in -
vention of Neopor ® , which surpasses even the classical Styropor in
its energy-saving properties, and Elastocoast ® , an innovative coastal
protection system based on polyurethane. But research activities also
include the search for increasingly efficient production processes to turn
valuable raw materials into high-performance plastics. BASF, as one
of the world’s largest plastics producers, is thereby contributing to sustainable
development and helping to safeguard our future.
Global consumption of mineral oil
In percent
Electricity
Heating
Chemistry
Transport Plastics
Source: ExxonMobil and Wintershall
8
50
Only five percent of the world’s oil is used to produce plastic materials. The energy saved thanks
to the use of plastics far exceeds this amount.
32
10
5
PlaSTicS – VErSaTilE maTErialS wiTh fuTurE PoTEnTial
5