BASF, a strategic partner in the construction of Masdar, presents sustainable construction solutions and concepts
Solutions help balance economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility
Global construction is facing the tremendous challenge of supporting a good quality of life for people in a more and more urbanized world and of improving at the same time resource conservation and cost efficiency. With its profound know-how and one of the broadest portfolios of raw materials, formulations and systems for sustainable construction, BASF is creating solutions to help investors, planners, construction companies and owners to meet the challenges and leverage the opportunities of global construction megatrends.
BASF will be exhibiting at the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates from January 17 to 20 January 2011. Its theme: "Building sustainability. Your partner for sustainable construction solutions".
A strategic partner to Summit organizer Masdar and preferred supplier of building materials and system solutions in the construction of Masdar City -- the world's first CO2-neutral and zero-waste city that is to be built in the desert of the Abu Dhabi Emirate -- BASF invests more than a third of its research expenditures in energy efficiency, climate protection, conservation of resources and renewable raw materials.
BASF adapts its globally available extensive range to the requirements of the local construction industry, taking into account architectural traditions and climatic conditions, among others.
"The construction and use of buildings play a crucial role in climate protection. With its products and system solutions for sustainable construction, BASF contributes significantly," says Dr. Tilman Krauch, head of BASF's Global Construction Steering Committee. "This Summit is not just an important showcase for our products," he adds, "it is also an important platform to drive awareness of the challenges being faced by our planet."
"For green construction practices to be broadly adopted, the support of business, science, politicians and society, and the entire construction value chain is needed - and they need to actively engage in terms of seeking out sustainable products and processes."
A key BASF philosophy is to develop, produce and market intelligent solutions that make construction projects not only safer, but more economic, efficient and environmentally compatible. "We believe that economic success must be balanced with environmental protection and social responsibility - it's a philosophy that today is vital to the wellbeing of the planet and future generations," concludes Krauch, who is also heading BASF's Construction Chemicals division.
AT THE SHOW
BASF will demonstrate the following solutions at the World Future Energy Summit.
Reduction of CO2 emissions during concrete manufacture
BASF provides the high-performance plasticizers sold under the brand name Glenium® Sky for the manufacture of concrete. They ensure that the quality of the concrete is preserved during transport, the concrete can be processed more easily at the building site on account of its fluidity and the finished concrete structures have a high strength and a long life. Furthermore, Glenium Sky lowers CO2 emissions during the production of the concrete.
Further energy savings are possible with the concrete admixtures of the Rheomatrix® brand. The additives give the concrete self-compacting properties so that mechanical and thus energy-intensive compacting can be dispensed with. You will find further information here:
www.construction-chemicals.basf.com
Accelerated concrete hardening
BASF has developed a new Crystal Speed Hardening™ concept for contractors and precast producers. The core product of the concept is X-SEED® 100, a unique hardening accelerator. It helps to speed up concrete hardening significantly at early ages (6-12 hours), supporting at least double strength at low, ambient and heat curing temperatures.
It helps to save time and has a positive impact on energy efficiency by eliminating or reducing heat curing of concrete. Furthermore, it offers an attractive overall cost saving potential. You will find further information here: www.construction-chemicals.basf.com
Polyurethanes - for energy efficient insulation
In the Gulf region, the market segments of building and insulation offer a wide range of opportunities for the use of the speciality plastics material polyurethanes. At the fair, BASF's Polyurethanes division is highlighting the brands Elastopor® H and Elastopir® Sandwich elements, insulation boards and spray-applied foam are ideal for energy-efficient and uncomplicated construction both in the industrial sector and in private housing. Polyurethanes are also outstanding for cold storage insulation and for the cladding of pipes that transport cold air. You will find further information here:
www.pu.basf.de/insulation
Saving cooling energy by means of Neopor® and Styrodur® C
Neopor is an innovative material for insulating walls, roofs and floors. By virtue of inbuilt infrared absorbers, Neopor has a better insulation performance than conventional insulation materials. Calculations carried out by the Passivhaus Institute Darmstadt, Germany show that in hot climatic zones insulation panels made of Neopor significantly reduce overheating and the hours of active cooling. Depending on the type and design of a house, at least 40 percent of the cooling energy can be saved in this way and CO2 emissions lowered.
Further possibilities of protecting structures from heat, cold and moisture are provided by Styrodur® C. The green extruded polystyrene foam panels with air as cell gas are characterized by a long working life and resistance to decay. They meet all necessary requirements regarding economical and ecological construction under various climatic conditions, e.g. for the insulation of floors and roofs. You will find further information here: www.neopor.de, www.styrodur.com
Energy efficiency using façade systems
BASF is also presenting wall systems under the Senergy® brand name. They consist of multiple layers for insulating and protecting exterior surfaces. These solutions make it possible to cool buildings efficiently and thus reduce the consumption of energy. You will find further information here: www.wallsystems.basf.com
Black pigments for reducing surface heat
BASF has developed the black pigments and pigment preparations Paliogen®, Sicopal®, Xfast® and Luconyl® NG for deflecting heat from surfaces. Unlike the conventional carbon black pigments, they prevent the absorption of the invisible near infrared radiation, which accounts for more than 50 percent of the incident solar energy. Field tests have shown that building materials incorporating the BASF pigments store only about half as much heat as conventional materials. You will find further information here:
www.basf.com/heatmanagement
Press photos are available under the following link: www.basf.com/pressphoto-database (Keyword "Construction and Housing")
-Ends-
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.
© Press Release 2011
