Cooperation between Degussa and BASF Global Partnership in PUR Catalyst Triethylene Diamine (TEDA)
July 29, 2005
Joint press release by Degussa AG and BASF Aktiengesellschaft:
New Production Plant at BASF's Antwerp Site
Sales and Technical Service by Degussa AG
As the result of a strategic partnership between Degussa AG, Duesseldorf, Germany, and BASF Aktiengesellschaft, Ludwigshafen, Germany, Degussa's Goldschmidt Polyurethane Additives Business Line in Essen, Germany, will take over the worldwide sales and technical service of triethylene diamine (TEDA). This product, which is sold under the trade name TEGOAMIN®, is an essential catalyst in manufacturing of many high-grade polyurethane (PUR) foams.
"The cooperation with BASF strengthens our PUR product portfolio," explains Dr. Georg Burkhart, global vice president of Degussa Goldschmidt Polyurethane Additives. He also adds, "Our leadership position in polyurethane additives is based on top class quality products. That is why BASF fits us particularly well as a partner." Degussa is the world's leading producer of additives for polyurethane foam manufacturing. The company's extensive product line includes stabilizers, tin and amine catalysts, mold release agents and other additives, such as color pastes, crosslinkers, antioxidants and antistatics. Degussa has service centers in Essen (Germany), Hopewell, Virginia (USA), Shanghai (China) and Sao Paulo (Brazil), as well as fully integrated production sites for stabilizers in Essen (Germany) and Hopewell (USA).
"Degussa brings an excellent sales network and comprehensive services into our cooperation," states Dr. Walter Gramlich, President, head of BASF's Intermediates Division. "We are the first TEDA producer in Europe and work with the most innovative manufacturing process." With its product portfolio of amine-based PUR catalysts, BASF has been one of the world's leading manufacturers in this sector for many years. To further strengthen its position, the company built a new plant for the manufacture of TEDA at its integrated production site in Antwerp, Belgium. This facility, which began operation in April 2005, utilizes an innovative and particularly efficient process. Besides Antwerp, BASF also has production sites for PUR catalysts in Ludwigshafen, Germany, and Geismar, Louisiana.
TEGOAMIN® belongs to a group of catalysts known as amine catalysts, which are needed to make polymer formation commercially practical by increasing the reaction speed of the starting components of a polyurethane foam formulation, isocyanate and polyol. Different catalysts are used depending on the desired properties of the PUR foam. PUR can be produced as rigid foam, semi-rigid foam or flexible foam, depending on the application. Rigid foams are used e.g. as insulation material in refrigerators and freezers and in construction boards, semi-rigid foams are used in instrument panels and flexible foams as cushioning material for car seats, furniture and mattresses. Polyurethane foam is also found in shoe soles, or in the automotive industry as an energy-absorbing material.
BASF
The Operating Division Intermediates of the BASF Group develops, produces and markets the world's largest range of intermediates. The most important of the division's more than 600 products include amines, diols, polyalcohols and acids. Among other applications, intermediates are used as starting materials for, coatings, plastics, pharmaceuticals, textile fibres, detergents and crop protectants. The operating division has access to plants at 15 production sites in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. In 2004, this BASF operating division with 2.850 employees generated world sales of EUR 2 billions (2003: EUR 1,8 billions).
