BASF today started marketing several polyamide (PA) and polyphthalamide (PPA) grades in Europe that it acquired as part of the takeover of Solvay’s PA66 business.
These engineering plastics, previously sold as Technyl, will continue under the established brand name Ultramid.
BASF will support its customers in developing innovative plastics products across all industries, including autonomous driving and emobility.
The European Commission granted BASF approval for the acquisition of Solvay’s polyamide business subject to certain conditions. As a result, its started to successfully sell the integrated engineering plastics in growth markets in Asia as well as North and South America. Now the conditions have expired, BASF will bring these grades to Europe.
Abdullah Shaikh, head of the global PPA team, said: “Because of its property profile this PPA is the ideal addition to our existing plastics portfolio, allowing us to offer the perfect [material] for a wide range of product requirements, including new ones.”
Ultramid One J will be integrated into the PPA portfolio that BASF has marketed under the brand name Ultramid Advanced since 2016. It closes the gap between polyamide and PPA grades. The high-performance plastic has outstanding mechanical and dielectric properties in presence of humidity and at elevated temperatures, while its low water absorption ensures good dimensional stability. It expands the range of component colours and designs, as it can be coloured in different white shades, in addition to orange and grey. Its very high flowability makes it ideal for manufacturing small and complex components with electrical protection.
BASF and Solvay signed an agreement on the acquisition of Solvay’s integrated polyamide business in September 2017. The European Commission approved the acquisition in January 2019 under certain conditions, including the sale of Solvay’s polyamide 66 production plants in Europe. BASF concluded the acquisition of the polyamide business on 31 January, 2020.
Because of the backward integration for the key raw material adiponitrile (ADN), BASF now covers the entire value chain for polyamide 66 and improves its supply reliability. The business has been integrated into BASF’s performance materials and monomers divisions.