BASF has inaugurated a new section of its Technical Competence Center for intermediates at its Shanghai Pudong site. The new laboratory will specialize in epoxy systems for fiber-reinforced composites, which are used, for example, in wind turbine blades. BASF sells these systems under its Baxxodur® brand. The competence center integrates this new epoxy laboratory with BASF’s existing PolyTHF laboratory, which will also expand the scope of its services.
“With our local competence center we provide our customers in Asia a fast and reliable technical support tailored to their needs,” says Dr. Guido Voit, who heads the Regional Business Unit Asia Pacific in BASF’s Intermediates division. “We utilize BASF’s integrated global knowledge network to benefit our customers in the region.”
In the new epoxy laboratory BASF can simulate its customers’ production processes using Baxxodur epoxy systems under production conditions. BASF’s application engineers develop tailored solutions and provide onsite technical support to their customers. The rotor blades of today’s state of the art wind turbines are mostly made of epoxy-resin-based composites. Baxxodur epoxy systems from BASF allow blade manufacturers to reduce the cycle time to produce the blades, thereby enhancing their productivity. With their specific properties the BASF systems can be used to reliably produce high-quality key components like spar caps and root sections of rotor blades. BASF systems outperform traditional epoxy systems especially in the production of large rotor blades. The systems are approved by Germanischer Lloyd AG (GL), which offers assurance, consulting, and classification for the maritime and energy industries.
At BASF’s expanded Technical Competence Center various polymer synthesis facilities can be used to customize new formulations, improve existing ones and adjust mechanical and thermal properties of PolyTHF-based products to specific applications. Sample and specimen analysis as well as laboratory support for starting up customer plants round off the service offer.
BASF is the world’s leading chemical company, with a portfolio ranging from chemicals, plastics, and performance products to agricultural products, fine chemicals, and oil and gas. As a reliable partner BASF creates chemistry to help its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges such as climate protection, energy efficiency, and mobility. Learn more by visiting www.basf.com.
