BASF Expands Monomer Portfolio

BASF expands its 14C bio-based monomer portfolio with a proprietary process for 2-octyl acrylate production. The new product, with 73% 14C traceable bio-based content according to ISO 16620, underscores BASF's strong commitment to innovation for a sustainable future. In addition to standard 14C bio-based 2-octyl acrylate, BASF has introduced the new product to the market as 2-Octyl Acrylate BMB ISCC Plus. In this product variant, the remaining carbon content is ISCC PLUS certified. This variant applies BASF's biomass balance (BMB1) approach, delivering a further reduced product carbon footprint (PCF2) compared to alternatives. Operating at industrial scale in the Verbund facility in Ludwigshafen, Germany, BASF plays a significant role in large-volume 2-octyl acrylate production, enabling BASF to supply bio-based monomer globally as a raw material. Dr. Reiner Geier, Senior Vice President of BASF Europe Industrial Petrochemicals, stated: "We have expanded our product portfolio to support our customers on their sustainability journeys. We are proud to bring a new acrylic monomer to the market with 2-OA that helps customers achieve their sustainability targets."   BASF's 2-octyl acrylate uses 2-octanol as the relevant bio-based raw material. This bio-alcohol is based on castor oil, a sustainable and non-food renewable raw material that can be reliably sourced throughout the year. With balanced solubility, 2-octyl acrylate can be readily used as a bio-based alternative to fossil-based monomers such as 2-ethylhexyl acrylate (2-EHA) and n-butyl acrylate (BA) in, for example, adhesive formulations or coating applications. The new product also offers performance advantages compared to fossil-based alternatives, demonstrating improved scrub resistance in coatings, shear resistance in adhesives, and superior durability against weathering. For this reason, 2-octyl acrylate is one of the few 14C bio-based monomers that can be used in both standard and high-performance applications. BASF's 2-octyl acrylate's high purity reliably delivers high quality with low volatile organic compounds (VOC) and enables customers to use the monomer across a broad range of applications. Source