Advanced Additives for Industrial Formulators

Anionic surfactants serve as primary surfactants in many formulations and are primarily responsible for micelle formation. Their presence significantly influences key parameters such as particle size, coagulum/grit formation, and other process-relevant characteristics.

Water-soluble polymers are essential formulation additives that enable performance tuning across a wide range of industrial applications. While natural polymers have long been known, only synthetic variants allow for precise control of properties through the use of tailored monomers and advanced polymerization techniques. BASF Industrial Formulators offers a broad range of water-soluble polymers, including homo- and copolymers of acrylic acid, polyethylene imines, homo- and copolymers of vinylpyrrolidone, and condensation products of naphthalenesulfonic acid. These polymers support functions such as dispersion, stabilization, binding, and rheology control in complex formulations.

Lutropur® MSA is the purest form of methanesulfonic acid and represents a modern, sustainable alternative to conventional acids. As one of the strongest organic acids without typical drawbacks, it offers a unique property profile that enables more efficient, resource- and energy-saving processes. MSA is widely used in metal surface treatment, industrial cleaning, catalysis, and chemical synthesis. It is also expected to play an increasingly important role in bioprocessing and metal recycling. Often referred to as a “sustainable acid,” MSA is readily biodegradable, odorless, and less corrosive than many other strong acids. BASF manufactures methanesulfonic acid using a patented continuous process developed in-house, ensuring consistent purity and supply. As the global market leader, BASF has continuously expanded its production capacity to meet growing demand.
 

Chelating agents play a vital role in numerous industrial processes involving water. Beyond their function as softeners, they are essential in washing, cleaning, and bleaching applications across a wide range of sectors. A key challenge in water-based systems is the presence of unwanted metal ions, which can interfere with process efficiency — for example, in textile auxiliaries or bleaching operations in pulp and paper production. Trilon® grades from BASF reliably meet the requirements of these applications and processes.

Esters and dimethyl amides are used as high-performing formulation additives, particularly in the agrochemical industry. They combine excellent solvency with a favorable sustainability profile, supporting the development of modern, resource-efficient formulations. They are derived from renewable raw materials such as fatty acids, fatty alcohols, and lactic acid and sourced from palm kernel, rapeseed, soybean oils, starch, and sugar. The Agnique® AMD range offers a new generation of sustainable solvents suitable for a wide range of applications, while the Agnique® ME range has become a market standard in oil dispersion and adjuvant formulations.

Soluble silicates are versatile formulation additives used across a wide range of industrial applications. They are used as raw material for synthesis of silicas and zeolites, non-VOC binder in paints, plastics and other construction materials, incombustible binder or sealant in fire-resistant products and foundry systems, adhesive in paper tubes, corrugated board or laminates, carrier fluid for soil improvement, grouting and drilling fluids and adjuvant in detergents and heavy-duty cleaners. 

Our electroplating products are used in all relevant processes for nickel, tin, zinc, copper or alloy plating. They influence the deposition of metals to create glossy, dense and defect free surfaces. Typical applications are corrosion protection, electronics and decoration

The Protectol^® range encompasses biocides, based on e.g. glutaraldehyde, formic acid, bronopol and phenoxyethanol, which can be integrated into industrial processes to control microbial growth and used to protect water-based products from microbial spoilage.
_{Requirement from EU 528/2012:
Use biocides safely. Always read the label and product information before use.}