BASF and Finsa join forces to develop a weight-reduced wood-based panel

Ludwigshafen, Germany and Santiago de Compostela, Spain - At ZOW, which will run in Bad Salzuflen, Germany, between February 6 and 9, 2012. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) February 03, 2012 - BASF, the world’s leading chemical company and Finsa, one of the most renowned producers of wood-based panels, will present their joint development project, a lightweight wood-based panel. The new material that weighs up to 30% less compared to conventional board combines Finsa’s well-known SUPERPAN® technology with BASF’s innovative Kaurit® Light technology. The market launch of the product branded SUPERPAN® STAR is planned for 2012.

“What is truly remarkable about the renowned SUPERPAN® technology, exclusive and patented by Finsa, is that it combines the benefits of both medium-density fiber board (MDF) and chipboard. The two outer layers of the board produced with the SUPERPAN® technology are made of fibers, very similar to a conventional MDF panel. The middle layer is that of a conventional chipboard,” explains Siro Gómez, Head of Marketing, Finsa Spain. Thus, he continues, the SUPERPAN® board offers both a higher resistance to bending than conventional chipboard and benefits during the further processing, from screwing to decorative coating.

„All benefits of the SUPERPAN® board are now combined with the advantages the Kaurit® Light technology that was developed and patented by BASF has to offer. In addition to maintaining the excellent mechanical properties of the board, the new panel now weighs about 30% less than a conventional SUPERPAN® board,” says Wolfgang Gutting, Vice President, Glues and Impregnating Resins, BASF SE and he adds: “This cooperation clearly shows that the innovative Kaurit® Light technology is not limited to being used in chipboard but also allows a considerable weight reduction in various other board types.”

The various applications for the new and lighter panel include furniture production, worktops and interior decoration. It may also be used for trade shows and commercial construction.

The inner layer of SUPERPAN® STAR made with Kaurit® Light technology consists of wood chips, a polymer (Kaurit® Light) and a bonding agent. Before being added to the wood chips, Kaurit® Light is foamed in a so-called pre-foamer. The rest of the manufacturing process is identical to that of conventional SUPERPAN® board. The usual machines and materials can also be used for further processing. Additionally, SUPERPAN® STAR panels can be recycled as conventional SUPERPAN® or MDF boards. “The new SUPERPAN® STAR technology blends in the well-established process and application chain”, explains Dr Stephan Weinkoetz, project leader Kaurit® Light at BASF SE.

For more information about the new lightweight material, visit the BASF booth in Hall 22-1, stand igeL 8 at ZOW in Bad Salzuflen, Germany or take a look at www.kauritlight.com and www.finsa.com. The ZOW that takes place from February 6 to 9, is one of the biggest and most important trade shows for the furniture industry as well as for the interior design sector.

About BASF
BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas. We combine economic success, social responsibility and environmental protection. Through science and innovation we enable our customers in almost all industries to meet the current and future needs of society. Our products and system solutions contribute to conserving resources, ensuring healthy food and nutrition and helping to improve the quality of life. We have summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose: We create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF posted sales of about €63.9 billion in 2010 and had approximately 109 ,000 employees as of the end of 2010. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available in the Social Media Newsroom at newsroom.basf.com.

About Finsa
Finsa is the leading chipboard and MDF manufacturer in the Iberian Peninsula. The company, founded in 1931 as a small sawmill, has maintained a sustained growth since that time up to now. Currently, Finsa manufactures a wide variety of wood-derived products. During the last years Finsa has concentrated its investments in the modernization of its plants and in the development of new solutions and value-added products. Thanks to all this, Finsa is today an international referent in the wood sector.

Press contact BASF:
Isabell Renz, Tel.: +49 621 60 92833, Fax: +49 621 60 6692833, isabell.renz ( @ ) basf dot com

Press contact Finsa:
Laura Fuentes. Tel: +34 981 050 249, Fax: +34 981 050 723, l.fuentes ( @ ) finsa dot es

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