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BASF buys polyurethane specialities business for car window encapsulation from Recticel
Technology opens up additional potential in the growing market for solar panel applications

29 Oct 2008 - BASF has signed an agreement with Recticel to acquire the company’s worldwide compounds business for polyurethane (PU) systems for glass encapsulation. The transaction, which is subject to approval by the relevant antitrust authorities, involves the polyurethane specialties business including Recticel’s patented aliphatic light stable compounds under the brand name Colofast®.
 
The special PU technology is mainly employed for car glass encapsulation, an attractive niche market for the safe and tight connection of glass panes and car body. PU glass encapsulation is used for 7 percent of all glass applications in the automotive industry worldwide. In future the technology will also be used to considerably simplify and speed up the production process of solar panels.
 
"By acquiring this business, BASF will achieve an excellent global position in this attractive specialty market," said Jacques Delmoitiez, President of BASF’s Polyurethanes division. "At the same time we are adding a further innovative technology to our already comprehensive portfolio of PU solutions. This will open up great potential in the growing market for solar panel applications."