#Textile chemistry

2024-10-17

BASF expands its sustainable polyamide portfolio with products with reduced and, for the first time, net zero CO2 footprints

With Ultramid® LowPCF (reduced CO2 footprint/“Product Carbon Footprint”, PCF**) and Ultramid® ZeroPCF* (CO2 footprint of net zero greenhouse gas emissions), BASF launches two new product variants within its polyamide value chain in Europe. Greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced when compared to conventional products. BASF is offering its Ultramid® B brand and the precursor caprolactam as ZeroPCF and LowPCF variants, as well as Ultramid® C as LowPCF option.

New polyamides with reduced and, for the first time, net zero CO2 footprints: Ultramid® LowPCF and Ultramid® ZeroPCF from BASF

Ultramid® LowPCF is produced using electricity from renewable energy sources and low-emission steam and Ultramid® ZeroPCF is the first polyamide 6 in the industry to achieve a CO2 footprint of net zero

Electricity from renewable sources is used to manufacture the LowPCF products, including from the Hollandse Kust Zuid offshore wind farm in the North Sea, in which BASF has a stake. Furthermore, low-emission steam is generated by using certified biomethane instead of natural gas. Compared to common industry benchmarks***, the PCF from raw material extraction to the factory gate (“cradle-to-gate”) is reduced by at least 30%. This PCF reduction enables the customer to reduce its Scope 3.1**** emissions in accordance with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol.

In order to further reduce the PCF to net zero, BASF uses renewable raw materials according to the mass balance approach. At the beginning of the production process, fossil raw materials are replaced by the corresponding amount of certified biomethane and bio-naphtha and allocated to the sales products using the mass balance approach. ZeroPCF products are certified in accordance with the ISCC (International Sustainability and Carbon Certification) PLUS Standard.

“We are the first company in the world to offer both LowPCF and ZeroPCF options in the polyamide 6 value chain. With this portfolio, we meet the increasing demand in the industry and are helping our customers to achieve their sustainability goals,” said Pedro Serra, Head of Sales PA6 Europe at BASF.

With the addition of the Ultramid LowPCF and Ultramid ZeroPCF variants to the polyamide product portfolio, BASF’s Monomers division offers a broad portfolio of sustainable solutions and continues to pursue the goals outlined in its ”Sustainability Roadmap”. The division’s sustainable offerings are an essential part of BASF’s path to climate neutrality and net zero CO2 emissions by 2050.

BASF will present its broad polyamide product portfolio to customers and partners in line with the ”Choose to reduce” approach at Fakuma, the international trade fair for plastics processing. This fair will take place from October 15 to 19, 2024 at Messe Friedrichshafen.

*Ultramid® ZeroPCF = taking into account the “biogenic uptake”, i.e. the amount of CO2 absorbed from the atmosphere during the growth of biomass and bound over the lifetime of the material. In addition to renewable electricity and low-emission steam, the biogenic uptake enables the product’s CO2 footprint to be reduced to net zero.

**PCF = The calculation of the Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) for conventional products follows the requirements and guidelines according to ISO 14067:2018. TÜV Rheinland has determined in a method review that the PCF (SCOTT) methodology developed and used by BASF SE is scientifically sound, in line with ISO 14067:2018 and the Together for Sustainability PCF guideline and reflects the state of the art (ID no. 0000080389: BASF SE - Certipedia).

***Common industry benchmarks = relevant PCF values from critically reviewed LCA studies such as Plastics Europe

****Scope 3.1 = Emissions from purchased goods and services

New study shows low environmental impact by Cotton made in Africa Organic Cotton from Tanzania

Today, the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) is announcing the results of a comprehensive life-cycle analysis (LCA) for cotton produced in Tanzania under the Cotton made in Africa Organic (CmiA Organic) standard. The study emphasises the small ecological footprint of CmiA Organic verified cotton. This can largely be traced back to the absence of synthetic pesticides, artificial fertilisers, and artificial irrigation. Consequently, CmiA Organic cotton can help the textile industry meet regulatory requirements as well as science-based targets. The results also show that the consequences of climate change threaten the livelihoods of these cotton farmers, even though the type of agriculture they practise barely contributes to climate change.

PERFORMANCE DAYS proves its relevance as the industry’s key meeting point

Held on March 18–19, 2026, PERFORMANCE DAYS once again confirmed its position as a leading international platform for functional textiles. A total of 3.366 trade visitors and around 560 exhibitors gathered in Munich, with the event already kicking off successfully on DAY 0, which received highly positive feedback for its interactive format. Despite challenging conditions caused by the public transport strike in Munich, the event saw strong attendance and a consistently high level of activity across both exhibition days.

Covestro to exhibit solutions for a more sustainable and productive textile industry at Techtextil 2026

Covestro will present a broad portfolio of material innovations for textile coatings, adhesive films and thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs) at Techtextil 2026 (Hall 11.0, Booth C79). The exhibits will demonstrate how advanced solutions can enhance durability, recyclability and manufacturing efficiency across applications such as automotive, infrastructure, protective apparel and sportswear. A particular focus will be on more sustainable coating technologies, including antimicrobial systems based on INSQIN® in combination with AGXX from Heraeus Precious Metals, as well as the integration of Pontacol® thermoplastic adhesive films into Covestro’s offering.

Archroma expands denim possibilities at Kingpins Amsterdam

Archroma, a global leader in specialty chemicals, will present a portfolio of six sustainable denim innovations at Kingpins Amsterdam from April 15-16, 2026. Under the theme “Creating Possibilities in Denim”, the showcase reflects Archroma’s commitment to giving brands and mills solutions that are as commercially compelling as they are environmentally responsible.

Reju secures €135 Million in Dutch NIKI Funding for industrial-scale textile-to-textile regeneration hub at Chemelot Industrial Park, the Netherlands

Reju™, the progressive textile-to-textile regeneration company, has been awarded €135 million in funding under the Netherlands’ Nationale Investeringsregeling Klimaatprojecten Industrie (NIKI) program. The funding will support Reju’s planned industrial-scale Regeneration Hub at Chemelot Industrial Park in Sittard-Geleen, covering both the investment phase and ongoing operations, and represents a critical milestone on the path toward final investment decision.

JEC World 2026 confirms its standing as the unmissable event for composites and their applications

JEC World 2026 confirms its position as the leading global event for the composite materials industry and its applications across multiple sectors, bringing together the entire composites ecosystem in Paris for three days of business, innovation, and collaboration. True to its Pushing the Limits motto, the 2026 edition delivered outstanding results despite travel disruptions worldwide. The numbers speak for themselves: more than 1,400 exhibitors from over 50 countries, including over 150 first-timers, presented a global panorama of products, equipment, and services across the entire composites value chain.