Performance Polymers

Sustainability

At BASF Performance Materials, we are dedicated to forging a sustainable future, a commitment we call #OurPlasticsJourney. And we invite you to join us on this journey.

Our passion lies in making a meaningful impact on both the environment and society. We believe our high-performance plastics are key to not only delivering sustainable solutions but also enhancing the success of your products.

Are you curious about...

Product Carbon Footprint

Circularity

Recyclability

These questions can be complex and challenging to address, as your journey toward sustainability largely depends on your unique requirements.

We’re here to help you navigate the options and identify which sustainability solutions align best with your needs.

Together, we will discover the optimal path.

Discover our sustainability offerings
 

Our sustainability portfolio features mass-balanced products made from biomass (BioMass Balance) and recycled raw materials (ChemCycling®), as well as their combination (Combi-claims).

Additionally, we provide bio-based raw materials, recyclable options, compostable and biodegradable biopolymers, and products designed with a reduced carbon footprint (low PCF and zero PCF).

Product Carbon Footprint

Biomass Balance: BMB

Biomass balanced products offer BASF customers a differentiation opportunity such as a quantifiably improved CO2 footprint and savings of fossil resources. Customers can rely on the identical product quality and performance to which they are accustomed to and benefit from a sustainable drop-in solution, making a conscious contribution to environmental protection.

Read more about BMB

Bio-based feedstock​

BASF's dedicated bio-based portfolio offers solutions for multiple applications. Either as substitute for a fossil alternative (so called drop-ins) to reduce the carbon footprint or new products using their unique properties that can either not or not cost-efficiently be achieved with a fossil feedstock.

Read more about bio-based feedstock

Reduced Product Carbon Footprint: ReducedPCF, LowPCF and ZeroPCF​

BASF offers different levels of product carbon footprint (PCF) reduction according to your needs. With sustainable drop-in solutions, the product has the same quality and performance than the standard one. ​

Pie chart showing a mostly green circle labeled 'Reduced PCF' with a small grey segment and a downward arrow indicating reduction.

  • From 10% PCF reduction compared to conventional BASF product.

  • Products incorporate active PCF reduction measures such as the use of renewable electricity, low-PCF feedstock or mass-balance attribution.​

Learn more

Our own combined cycle gas power plants produce electricity and process steam with a 95% efficiency at emissions far below the average grid level.
Photo: BASF
Performance Materials plants run on renewable electricity in Europe as of 2025​
Pie chart labeled 'Low PCF to Zero PCF' with a large green portion, a significant grey segment, and a curved arrow indicating transition toward zero emissions.

  • LowPCF: From 30% PCF reduction compared to a defined baseline (source, year, methodology) that must be clearly specified and communicated.
  • ZeroPCF: Products with a Carbon Footprint below or equal to 0.0 kg CO₂e/kg.

Learn more

Polyamides with reduced and zero CO2 footprints​

Circularity

Mechanical Recycling

BASF uses recycled feedstock derived from plastic waste that is attributed to the certified Ccycled® products through a mass balance approach.

Read more

Many waste plastics can be sensibly used in energy recovery or as a resource for reclaiming materials – for recycling. In the so-called 111 Navy Chair, manufactured by the US furniture maker Emeco, BASF’s Petra® 7030 has come to use – a recycled PET material, exclusively offered in the USA.
Petra®
Polyamide resin with mechanically recycled content ​
Nypel®
Polyamide resin with mechanically recycled content

Chemical Recycling: Ccycled®

BASF uses recycled feedstock derived from plastic waste that is attributed to the certified Ccycled® products through a mass balance approach.

Read more about Ccycled®

Combi-claims

Combi-claims designate a combination of sustainable solutions in the manufacturing process of a product. For example, BASF combines alternative raw materials in a mass balance approach: pyrolysis oil from scrap tires and biomethane from agricultural waste and food industry residues. The resulting plastic features the same properties as prime quality plastic.​

Certified compostable and soil-biodegradable biopolymers​

BASF has been researching biodegradable, bio-based and certified compostable biopolymers for more than 30 years. The continuous development of these high-performance plastics takes place in close cooperation with customers, research institutes and local authorities. The focus always lies on the biopolymer's best environmental performance in regard to advancing organic recycling, no matter if the material contains fossil or renewable resources.

Read more about biopolymers

Recyclability

Recycable Materials

A circular economy of plastics requires them to be recyclable, in order to be transformed into recycled content or alternative raw materials for new products. Therefore, the importance of recycling is present from the design phase. At BASF, we help you developing products that contribute to the circular economy.

What other customers say?​

Why you can trust us​

BASF has a successful track-record of sustainability efforts! Since 1990, we have halved our carbon dioxide emissions while doubling our sales volumes. 

And the best part? We are confident that what we've achieved over the past three decades is just the beginning; we are determined to reach even greater heights in the future!

From 2030 onwards, we further intensify our actions to reduce our CO2 emissions. For Performance Materials, it means: ​

  • Switching all our sites to green electricity​
  • Transition to more environmentally friendly blowing agents for PU​
  • Implement low carbon steam and investigate the use of heat pumps​
  • Continuous Operational Excellence

BASF’s Performance Materials has a two-fold target for 2030: ​

  • The carbon management measures will bring the emissions (scope 1 & 2) down by another 25% compared to 2018 and scope by 15% compared to 2022 for the scope 3.1.​
  • At the same time, we want to reach a 20% sales share of Close-The-Loop Solutions (biodegradable/compostable products and products with at least 20% of recycled or bio-based content).​

This is only when all levers and measures will be used to the greatest extent that BASF will consider offsetting emissions to reach its final goal of being net zero.

From 1990 to 2018, we have reduced by half our carbon emissions while doubling our sales volumes.

BASF greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1 & 2) in Million metric tons​

BASF Performance Materials Production Sites and R&D Centers Network

World Map of BASF locations considering sustainability

APAC

  • 20 production sites
  • 6 R&D centers
  • 5 sites using green electricity
  • 8 sites certified ISCC+ / RedCERT²

North America

  • 14 production sites
  • 2 R&D centers
  • 8 sites using green electricity
  • 3 sites certified ISCC+ / RedCERT²

EMEA

  • 10 production sites
  • 3 R&D centers
  • 8 sites using green electricity 
  • 8 sites certified ISCC+ / RedCERT²

South America

  • 3 production sites using green electricity 
  • 1 R&D center

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