BASF acquires foam extrusion technology supplier

In a bid to tap into Europe’s wind-energy sector, BASF has purchased the PET foam business of Italy-based extrusion technology provider B.C. Foam S.p.A.

The acquisition includes production facilities and intellectual property rights, BASF said in a press release, as well as a special extrusion process which enables the production of high-performance PET foams with very high densities.

The terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

“By expanding our portfolio of sophisticated structural foams, this acquisition will enable BASF to further strengthen its position as a leading foam provider,” said Dr. Wolfgang Hapke, president of BASF’s Performance Polymers division. “These PET foams are primarily used in wind turbine rotor blades and will extend our product range for the growing global wind energy market.”

“PET foams are both temperature- and chemical-resistant,” the press release also said. “As well as being used in the wind energy sector, high quality PET foam boards are employed in lightweight composite materials that are particularly well-suited for applications in the automotive and aeronautics industries, as well as in shipbuilding.”

Headquartered in the town of Volpiano, near Turin, B.C. Foam employs 12 workers.