"Capture the Mobility Market"... BASF Strengthens Engineering Plastics Business

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoonju Hwang] BASF is strengthening its future mobility portfolio through the engineering plastic Ultramid® material. With increasing regulations on pollutant emissions, reduction of internal combustion engines, and growing interest in alternative powertrains such as electric, hybrid, and fuel cells, the company aims to capture the market in related fields.

On the 26th, BASF announced that it has expanded its portfolio of high-temperature resistant polyamide products by developing Ultramid B3PG6 BK23238, which offers excellent thermal stability.

The fundamental requirements for powertrain components are heat resistance, durability, and resistance welding capability. The new Ultramid material, which withstands high temperatures up to 190 degrees Celsius, features low halogen content (less than 50 ppm halogen) and non-metallic stabilizers to prevent galvanic corrosion occurring in electrical and electronic components. Additionally, it is reinforced with 30% glass fiber, providing excellent thermal aging performance, vibration resistance, and high-pressure gas weldability. Based on these enhanced solutions, BASF plans to protect sensitive electrical and electronic components essential for various powertrain technologies, including internal combustion engines, hybrids, and electric vehicles, while offering improved durability.

Fuel cell engine parts, including manifolds, thermostat housings, shut-off valves, emitters, and exhaust pipes, require stable materials capable of withstanding a wide range of temperature fluctuations. BASF’s polyphthalamide (PPA) Ultramid® advanced N3HG6 material meets these requirements by demonstrating excellent heat resistance, chemical resistance, mechanical properties, impact resistance, dimensional stability, and durability. It is lighter than die-cast aluminum and high-temperature hoses previously used in fuel cell components, while also meeting the safety, quality standards, and cost efficiency demanded of engine parts. In October, Ultramid® advanced N material was applied to new 45kW fuel cell engine parts by Nuvera Fuel Cells, a U.S. clean energy engine system manufacturer. This engine is scheduled to be installed in city buses and delivery vehicles in China over the next three years.

BASF has developed the autonomous wireless charger MobiPOWER in collaboration with Japan’s autonomous robot company ZMP and wireless power supply and charging system developer B&Plus. The automotive industry forecasts that 75 billion connected devices will be in use by 2025, anticipating increased demand in the charging market. BASF met expectations for excellent mechanical properties, chemical resistance, and dimensional stability through its Ultradur® PBT material, which has been integrated into wireless chargers, radar housings, lidar, and body housings.

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