BASF Zero-Emission ‘Green’ Acrylic Composite Technology to be Introduced at Kettering University on Nov. 18

FLINT, Mich.--Kettering University will be the site of a new product introduction when BASF North American premiers its new ‘Green’ Automotive Material Technology on Wednesday, Nov. 18, at Kettering’s campus in Flint, Mich.

Approximately 60 individuals representing automotive industries and educational institutions, including Toyota, Magna, General Motors, Johnson Controls, A.Schulman Faurecia, Tesla Motors, International Automotive Components, MSU Composite Vehicle Center and Kettering University, will participate in an event in Kettering’s Campus Center.

Introduced will be eco-friendly Acrodur®: Acrylic thermosets, opening new avenues to innovative composite materials. The Acrodur® presentation will discuss a new enabling technology platform engineered toward Cross-Linked Acrylic Thermosets, featuring:

* non-flammable zero-emission systems which contain no volatile or hazardous components at any stage of their life cycle.

* easy to use in molding processes and ideally suited for today’s ‘greener’ light-weight automotive composites.

* potential for natural fiber, as well as, other fiber composites in automotive applications.

Dr. Gero Nordmann, market development manager for BASF, and Dr. Donald Rosato, president of PlastiSource, Inc., both said they are pleased to be coming to Flint to introduce eco-friendly Acrodur®. Acrylic thermosets are thermally cross-linkable and free of formaldehyde and other emissions and offer new routes to innovative composite materials.

An example of a suitable application for acrylic resin dispersions is the binding of natural fibers such as wood, flax, hemp or sisal. Typically, the application is used in the production of shaped panels for automobile interiors. Now, raw materials can be resinated in different ways. It will provide a great variety of other natural and man-made fibers of the nonwoven industry or even granulated materials, which can be bonded with the new binder system.

Kettering University was selected for the new product introduction based on long-standing relationships within the industry with Kettering Chemistry Professor Reg Bell.

Media wishing to attend the Media Availability can call 810-762-9533.

Kettering University is located in Flint, Mich., and is the home of the country’s most advanced professional cooperative education program. For more on Kettering, visit: www.kettering.edu.