Following the release of BASF's Sustainability Roadmap blueprint in February 2023, its two manufacturing sites in Asia are now ISCC+ certified. These certifications demonstrate the unit's commitment to helping customers in all regions achieve their sustainable Development Goals. This is the first ISCC+ certification for the business unit in the Asia Pacific region, demonstrating its ability to offer biomass Balancing products (BMB) and ChemCycling® products and maintain product performance at the same grade as currently supplied from Korea, but with lower carbon emissions.
Dr. Ramkumar Dhruva, President of BASF's Unit Business, said: "As a bulk business at the heart of chemical manufacturing, we have great potential to drive sustainable transformation for BASF and our client industries. These certifications demonstrate our strong commitment to helping our customers grow their businesses sustainably. We will continue to provide them with appropriate solutions so that their products can adapt to future development needs."
Claudia Huang, senior vice-president of BASF's unit business in Asia Pacific, added: "This is an important milestone in our journey towards low product carbon footprint (PCF) production. "Sustainability will be key to our success, and BASF has consistently led the way with a responsible attitude." ISCC+ certified products provide basic chemicals for many industries, including textiles, packaging, automotive, construction, and home appliances.
Dr. Dschun Song, Managing Director of BASF Korea, said, "We are very pleased that the Yeosu and Onsan sites are the first BASF facilities to receive ISCC+ certification in Korea. This is also the first time that the entire value chain has been certified in the same country, allowing us to offer our customers certified low carbon footprint adipic acid and PA 6.6." The Wenshan base can currently produce biomass balancing products and chemical cycle products, and the first customer orders have been delivered. More and more customers are willing to join the journey to achieve a low carbon footprint and collaborate to develop sustainable products.
Basf's current biomass balancing method applied to adipic acid and PA 6.6 can reduce a product's carbon footprint by at least 70%**. The division will continue to develop products with lower carbon footprints at its production lines and expects net zero CO2 emissions from adipic acid (by the end of 2024) and PA 6.6 (by the end of 2027) produced in Asia Pacific.
Along with the certification of the Onsan facility, BASF Korea Yeosu Facility, which produces TDI and MDI, also received the ISCC+ certification. TDI is an important intermediate for adhesives and foam commonly used in many industries such as automotive, aviation and furniture, while MDI is the basic raw material for polyurethane, polyamide-imide and adhesives.
The Unit's main base and more than 200 products are currently RedCert2 or ISCC+ certified, and it plans to expand its portfolio of certified bioquality-balanced products in Asia in the coming years.