BASF Transitions to 40% Bio-based Ethyl Acrylate to Lower Product Carbon Footprint (PCF)

BASF is taking a decisive step towards the biotransformation of its (meth)acrylate portfolio by shifting to bio-based ethyl acrylate (EA) production starting in Q4 2024. Featuring a 40% 14C-traceable bio content in line with DIN EN 16640 standards and a reduced Product Carbon Footprint (PCF), BASF's bio-based EA supports customers globally in achieving their sustainability targets.

The product delivers a nearly 30% reduction in Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) compared to conventional fossil-based EA. In addition to standard bio-based EA, BASF also offers a bio-based ethyl acrylate variant certified under ISCC PLUS through the Biomass Balance (BMB) approach. In this version, the fossil-based acrylic acid content is ISCC PLUS certified, resulting in an even lower PCF.

BASF's bio-based EA is manufactured in Ludwigshafen, utilizing bioethanol exclusively as the alcohol source. The new bio-based product maintains the same chemical and technical specifications as its fossil-based counterpart.

“With bio-based EA we can offer our customers a readily available drop-in solution for many applications. ethyl acrylate is a well-established product that will support our customers in reaching their sustainability goals. We also want to give a clear signal to the market that we drive our own sustainability transformation. From Q4 2024 onwards, we will phase out fossil-based EA and exclusively offer bio-based Ethyl Acrylate going forward,” said Dr. Reiner Geier, senior vice president, Industrial Petrochemicals Europe.

BASF's bio-based ethyl acrylate is produced using sustainable bioethanol, primarily sourced from European grain-based feedstocks. BASF adheres to stringent sustainability standards for biomass utilization, ensuring that the bioethanol used does not compete with food production. Instead, it is derived mainly from by-products of starch production, lower-quality grains, or molasses—all materials not used in food production. Additionally, grains unsuitable for food or feed can be employed in bioethanol production.

Bio-based EA offers versatility across a broad range of applications, particularly in polymer dispersions, with a focus on the coatings and adhesives industries. Since March 2024, BASF’s bio-based ethyl acrylate has been certified as 'OK biobased' by TÜV Austria.

Source: BASF