12. Mar 2026
BASF introduces lower-carbon PolyTHF variants
BASF has introduced new variants of polytetrahydrofuran (PolyTHF) with a reduced product carbon footprint (rPCF), offering polyurethane producers and other downstream users a way to lower emissions without changing formulations or processing conditions.
The new grades are produced at BASF’s Verbund site in Ludwigshafen, Germany, using lower-emission feedstocks and utilities. According to the company, the resulting products deliver at least a 10% reduction in product carbon footprint compared with conventional BASF grades while maintaining identical performance characteristics.
PolyTHF is a key intermediate in several value chains and serves as an important building block for thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU) used in applications such as abrasion-resistant hoses, films and cable sheathing, particularly in automotive applications.
Because the new rPCF grades retain the same specifications as existing materials, BASF says customers can adopt them without modifying their formulations or production processes. This “drop-in” approach is intended to help manufacturers reduce the carbon footprint of their products while maintaining established manufacturing practices.
The launch forms part of BASF’s broader effort to expand its portfolio of chemical intermediates with lower embedded emissions. Alongside PolyTHF, the company has also introduced rPCF variants of other intermediates produced in Ludwigshafen, including butanediol and tetrahydrofuran, which are part of the same integrated value chain.
“Across industries, we see growing interest in cost competitive products with a reduced carbon footprint that help customers meet market demands and achieve their corporate sustainability targets,” said Verena Siegel, vice president global business management for butanediol and derivatives in BASF’s Intermediates division. “With our new rPCF variants, we are giving them a straightforward lever to achieve measurable PCF reductions of at least 10%, without adding complexity to their operations.”
BASF is one of the world’s leading producers of PolyTHF, with three manufacturing plants across Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific and a total production capacity of around 250,000 metric tons per year.
The company said the new grades are intended to support customers across multiple sectors—including automotive, textiles and consumer goods—as they work to reduce Scope 3 emissions in their value chains.
Photo: The acetylene plant at the Ludwigshafen Verbund site serves as a starting point for producing the new rPCF variants of PolyTHF ©BASF