Performance Polymers

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Performance Materials Top News

October 21, 2026

BASF and Tongji University collaborate on used-pillow recycling initiative to explore circular economy concepts

BASF and Tongji University, a top-tier research university located in Shanghai, China, and Shanghai Yida Resource Recycling Technology Co., Ltd., a specialized organization in the circular economy sector, have launched a used-pillow recycling initiative to show how polyurethane foam from used pillows can be collected and evaluated for potential recycling routes and new applications. The project also provides younger generations with practical exposure to material recovery processes and circular economy principles.

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October 21, 2026

BASF and Tongji University collaborate on used-pillow recycling initiative to explore circular economy concepts

BASF and Tongji University, a top-tier research university located in Shanghai, China, and Shanghai Yida Resource Recycling Technology Co., Ltd., a specialized organization in the circular economy sector, have launched a used-pillow recycling initiative to show how polyurethane foam from used pillows can be collected and evaluated for potential recycling routes and new applications. The project also provides younger generations with practical exposure to material recovery processes and circular economy principles.
Dr. Markus Kamieth, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE, and Chen Zhong, President and CEO of Highsun Holding Group.

Photo: BASF SE
Trade News | October 20, 2026

BASF and HSCC are pursuing a potential joint venture across the polyamide 6 value chain

BASF SE and Highsun Holding Group (HSCC) have signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding to explore the combination of their respective European activities across the polyamide 6 (PA6) value chain in a 50:50 joint venture. Additionally, both companies are evaluating the inclusion of their global extrusion activities outside of North America in the joint venture. The engineering plastics downstream businesses of BASF and HSCC are not in scope of the evaluation.
Depolymerization and solvent-based recycling successfully demonstrated at pilot scale for high-quality recycled materials in automotive applications. 

Technologies show potential to support circularity and CO2 reduction in the automotive industry following further development and scale-up.

Collaboration along the value chain with Mercedes-Benz AG, ZF Group and Pöppelmann K-TECH was essential for the pilot projects.

Photo: BASF
Trade News | October 16, 2026

Double recognition for BASF's PA6 recycling technologies: MATERIALICA Award 2026 winner and runner-up at the Fakuma Innovation Award 2026

BASF has received two awards for its innovative solutions for closing the loop on engineering plastics. The two recycling projects for polyamide 6 (PA6) presented at K 2025 – depolymerization and solvent-based recycling – received both the MATERIALICA Award 2026 (winner in the category “CO2 Efficiency”) and the Fakuma Innovation Award 2026 (2nd place in the category “sustainability”).
Because of its extraordinary property profile Ultrason® is ideally suited for E&E parts in AI infrastructure like fiber optical connectors (FOC).
Photo: BASF
Trade News | October 5, 2026

Powering data, managing heat: Ultrason® for AI-driven E&E applications

BASF is expanding the application focus of its Ultrason® portfolio to advance the development of electrical and electronic (E&E) components used in AI-driven data centers, high-speed connectivity and e-mobility. BASF’s polyarylethersulfones (PAES) thus support E&E manufacturers, OEMs and data center operators who require materials that maintain reliable operation, signal integrity and long service life as well as ensure fire safety and efficient thermal management. 
Ultradur® RC1 is based on recycled PET from post-consumer packaging waste and is designed for demanding automotive applications such as brackets, housings, and connectors.
Photo: BASF and Adobe Stock, edited by BASF, 2026
Trade News | September 30, 2026

BASF expands the Ultradur® portfolio with new grades based on post-consumer recycled PET

Ludwigshafen, Germany – BASF is expanding its portfolio of engineering plastics with new Ultradur® grades designed to help automotive manufacturers and suppliers increase the recycled content of their products while meeting demanding technical requirements.