Apr 2 2008
BASF SE and LEUNA-Harze GmbH, Leuna, will in future cooperate on the supply in Europe of raw materials for epoxy resin systems for fiber-reinforced composites. The two companies have just signed a declaration of intent to this effect.
Under the BaxxodurTM brand, BASF sells a broad range of curing agents, accelerators and additives for professional epoxy resin processing. In addition to this, the company now also offers customized epoxy resin systems for fiber-reinforced composites aimed specifically at the production of rotor blades for wind turbines. These systems comprise the appropriate epoxy resins as well as the products of BASF’s Baxxodur range.
LEUNA-Harze is today a leading manufacturer of epoxy resins in Europe. Along with standard epoxy resins, the portfolio of the 150-employee company includes speciality resins, for example bisphenol-F-based epoxy resins, and a variety of reactive diluents.
“Our cooperation with LEUNA-Harze is a major element in our strategy to safeguard the long-term supply of raw materials for our customers,” said Dr. Gregor Daun, who heads the Epoxy System Development and Marketing unit recently set up by BASF’s operating division Intermediates, and added: “With our newly developed epoxy resin systems, which Germanischer Lloyd has approved for the production of wind turbine blades, we offer innovative solutions for our customers.”
Klaus Paur, principal shareholder of LEUNA-Harze, said: “We pursue a policy of outpacing growth in the epoxy resin market by means of specialities like bisphenol F resin and reactive diluents. Consequently we have doubled our capacity in these two fields. The new plants, which represent an investment volume of € 25 million, will come on stream in April. The cooperation with BASF that we have developed for years gives us another opportunity to establish our products in a fast-expanding business segment.”
LEUNA-Harze will join BASF as a guest exhibitor at the BASF booth U44 in hall 1.3 during the JEC Composites Show in Paris from April 1 through 3, 2008. This exhibition is one of the most important composites trade shows worldwide.