BASF receives award for contribution to i-flow concept car

* ÖkoGlobe award for innovations promoting environment-friendly mobility
* Chemical industry solutions significantly reduce carbon emissions

BASF has been granted the international environmental award ÖkoGlobe for the energy-efficient automotive industry solutions delivered by BASF in the “i-flow” concept car project. The award, sponsored by the University of Duisburg-Essen and spearheaded by automotive expert Prof. Ferdinand Dudenhöffer, is issued for groundbreaking concepts, innovations, products and production processes in the area of mobility. BASF took third prize this year in the Supplier Innovations category for its contributions to the i-flow concept car. BASF designed the i-flow in cooperation with Korean carmaker Hyundai and unveiled it at the International Geneva Motor Show in March this year. ÖkoGlobe, first hosted in 2007, saw participation reach a record high in 2010 with more than 100 entries received.



The i-flow’s carbon emission is a mere 85g/km thanks to a combination of numerous individual solutions. The figure is well below the levels documented for comparable conventional cars. BASF innovations account for almost half the reduction. “The i-flow is impressive proof of the chemical industry’s crucial contribution to the environment-friendly car of the future,” Dr. Wolfgang Hapke, head of BASF’s Performance Polymers division said. “BASF is the chemical industry’s top automotive supplier and helps carmakers achieve their sustainability goals.”



The i-flow’s energy concept is an impressive example of high tech. The modern diesel engine is encapsulated with a rigid foam polyurethane insulation system that protects both the engine and the environment. A new catalyst from BASF combines four emission-cutting technologies in just two components. A concept for the seat frame of the i-flow shows how lightweight construction materials can help conserve resources. An array of infrared-transparent and infrared-reflecting pigments in the car interior result in cooler plastic surfaces for the dashboard, seat and center console.



BASF products are used in the automotive industry at every level in the value chain:

* Suppliers purchase products such as plastics, coatings, catalysts, pigments, plasticizers and leather and textile chemicals from BASF.
* Car manufacturers order coatings, coolants, brake fluids and plastics. BASF organizes the entire coating process for some producers.

* Workshops and car dealers buy refinish coatings, fuel additives, brake fluids and coolants from BASF.

In parallel, BASF researches and develops products for sustainable future mobility:

* In collaboration with partners from various industries, BASF is developing innovative concepts for higher-performance batteries for electric cars. BASF’s approach focuses on developing a range of innovative cathode materials for novel lithium ion batteries. The aim is to achieve two to five-fold higher energy density than with conventional battery systems.
* Again with partners from industry, BASF is working toward a solar cell technology based on organic materials that can be built directly into vehicles. Just a few nanometers thick, organic solar cells are superior to their inorganic counterparts in that they are as flexible, light and thin as transparent film. In addition, they have the potential to be produced more cost effectively than conventional silicon-based solar cells.

BASF is showcasing the i-flow at K 2010 in Düsseldorf from October 27 - November 3, 2010 at the BASF stand in Hall 5, C21/D21. More information is available at www.plasticsportal.de/k2010

More information about BASF solutions for the automotive industry is available at

http://www.automotive.basf.com/p02/Automotive/en_GB/portal



You can download video clips about the i-flow from the Internet at the following link: http://bit.ly/c8PzxG



More about ÖkoGlobe is available at:

http://www.oeko-globe.de/index.html



About BASF

BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics and performance products to agricultural products, fine chemicals as well as 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, nutrition and mobility. BASF posted sales of more than €50 billion in 2009 and had approximately 105,000 employees as of the end of the year. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.