Advanced production plant for form release agents commissioned
Supporting the increasing demand for ecologically sound and user friendly products, BASF commissioned a new production plant for form release agents that is among the most advanced and most efficient in Europe. Opened at the company’s in Staßfurt site in May 2015, the new facility produces release agents based on renewable raw materials as well as emulsions from renewable and non renewable raw materials. Successful trial operation was completed in early July 2015, and the plant has since commenced regular production.
“This important investment is to strengthen our release agent business in the European marketplace and to help us achieve a leadership position”, says Philipp Kley, Senior Vice President Construction Chemicals Europe at BASF.
Ease of use, reduced production costs
The Master Builders Solutions experts have, among others, developed new release agent formulations based on natural raw materials such as plant oil. “The new products perform exceptionally well. They provide excellent surface quality, are efficient and easy to use, and lower concrete manufacturers’ production costs when applied correctly”, says Herwig Heegewaldt, responsible for BASF’s concrete admixtures business in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The products are available under the MasterFinish product name.
The new release agents made from natural raw materials provide an alternative to mineral-oil-based release agents, most of which have to carry an “Aspiration Hazard” label as of 1 June 2015. This is due to the labeling requirements of GHS initiated by the United Nations. The new Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals now also applies to chemical mixtures and thus to concrete release agents. Based on renewable raw materials release agents from BASF are not classified hazardous and will not require labeling.
