Under the Baxxodur brand, BASF sells a broad range of curing agents, accelerators and additives for epoxy resin processing. In addition to this, the company now also offers customized epoxy resin systems for fiber-reinforced composites aimed specifically at the production of rotor blades for wind turbines. These systems comprise the appropriate epoxy resins as well as the products of BASF’s Baxxodur range.

“Our cooperation with LEUNA-Harze is a major element in our strategy to safeguard the long-term supply of raw materials for our customers,” said Dr. Gregor Daun, who heads the Epoxy System Development and Marketing unit recently set up by BASF’s operating division Intermediates.

Klaus Paur, principal shareholder of LEUNA-Harze, said: “We pursue a policy of outpacing growth in the epoxy resin market by means of specialities like bisphenol F resin and reactive diluents. The new plants, which represent an investment volume of 25 million euros, will come on stream in April. The cooperation with BASF that we have developed for years gives us another opportunity to establish our products in a fast-expanding business segment.”

The BASF Group’s Intermediates division develops, produces and markets the range of intermediates containing more than 600 products. The most important of the division’s product groups include amines, diols, polyalcohols, acids and specialties. Among other applications, intermediates are used as starting materials for coatings, plastics, pharmaceuticals, textile fibers, detergents and crop protectants.

Intermediates from BASF help to improve the properties of final products and the efficiency of production processes. The ISO 9001:2000-certified Intermediates division operates plants at production sites in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. In 2006, the division generated world sales of about 2.3 billion euros with 2,600 employees.