High lights! Radiation curing with Laromer, Lucirin and Larolux BR_Strahlung.indd 2BR_Strahlung.indd 205.04.2007 9:54:04 Uhr05.04.2007 9:54:04 Uhr Constancy of innovations For more than 30 years, BASF has constantly been setting standards in resource-saving, emission-free radiation curing products with its high-performance resins and photoinitiators. Fast drying, no VOC emission and energy efficiencies were and are the factors behind BASFs success in this area. The goal to help our customers being more successful motivated us to develop not only resins, monomers and initiators but also curing technology like the Larolux process to cure three-dimensional substrates. For the customer means with the customers Practical innovations and solutions are only possible if the practical world is brought into the laboratory. In BASFs UV research centers, our scientists work out the standards for tomorrows radiation-curable products together with equipment manufacturers and customers. Quality needs a foundation BASFs integrated system, known as “Verbund”, means a coordinated supply of raw materials from within the company itself and thus the highest level of delivery reliability and consistent product quality. In other words, regardless of when and where you need us, you can always count on BASF to the same extent. What do you expect? Simply expect more. The spectrum and possibilities for radiation curing are still far from being exploited to the fullest. We are put- ting all our efforts into continuing to offer you all the innovations and associated opportunities in a sure and reliable way. Our aim is to continue doing that as the leader in innovation. How to set standards day by day BR_Strahlung.indd 3BR_Strahlung.indd 305.04.2007 9:08:21 Uhr05.04.2007 9:08:21 Uhr Preserve the performance of your substrates Today and in the future, scratch resistance is an essential requirement for UV coating on parquet, furniture, plastic substrates and the next-generation automotive coatings. The new BASF product Laromer PO 9026, based on nano-technology, is designed to formulate radiation-curable coatings with outstanding scratch resistance. To combine the excellent scratch resistance with weather durability for any outdoor application, we have developed highly functional, aliphatic urethane acrylates. Depending on the way of applying the coating, you might choose Laromer UA 9050 as a solvent-based version for spray application or Laromer UA 9048 as a 100 % product diluted with Laromer DPGDA. Ambitious UV applications need specialized products One example is the success story of our photoinitiator Lucirin TPO, developed 25 years ago. With this initiator it became possible, for the first time, to cure pigmented varnishes without any yellowing. Since that time we have expanded the Lucirin TPO family to offer always an initiator that matches your requirements. The latest development is our Lucirin TPO-XL, a liquid phosphine oxide with improved efficiency and still remarkable low in yellowing. Principle features of BASFs Lucirin photoinitiators absorption in the longer-wave UV spectrum formulation of very low-odor inks and coatings most suitable for inert-atmosphere UV curing good through-curing of thick films negligible emissions and migration 02 03 BR_Strahlung.indd 4BR_Strahlung.indd 405.04.2007 9:08:21 Uhr05.04.2007 9:08:21 Uhr environment normalized costs normalized low eco-efficiency high eco-efficiency Demand-based benefit: Coating of 1000 wooden doors with a semi-gloss, transparent appearance BASF target products: UV roller coater based on Laromer PO 43 F and PO 77 F applied coating amount approx. 60 g/m2 Alternative products: NC coating (solid content 25 %) applied coating amount 240 g/m2 aqueous varnish (solid content 35 %) applied coating amount 200 g/m2 2C-PUR (solid content 48 %) applied coating amount 160 g/m2 Ecology and efficiency combined How eco-friendly is a product? How eco-friendly is its application? How eco-friendly is the final product? And how eco-friendly is the product by comparison with other products? These are questions that previously could never be answered accurately. That is why BASF developed the eco-efficiency analysis, where ecological factors and efficiency are combined so that different products and processes can be compared as a defined case study. The Eco-efficiency analysis: a strategic tool developed by BASF to measure eco-efficiency provide a quantitative measure of the economic and ecological benefits of a product or process as compared to other products or processes identification of the most sustainable product or process for a defined customer benefit each single study is based on solid facts with respect to the defined application only Where ecology meets efficiency The result at a glance: Low cost and highly eco-efficient UV coatings Laromer PO 43 F Laromer PO 77 F BR_Strahlung.indd 5BR_Strahlung.indd 505.04.2007 9:08: