BASF launches biomass-balanced isocyanate for spray foam systems

The new Elastrospray BMB isocyanate is designed as a drop-in material for existing BASF SPF systems, maintaining processing conditions and performance characteristics while reducing embodied carbon. According to the company, the product can deliver carbon footprint reductions of between 21% and 29% compared with conventional isocyanates used in spray foam applications.

The material is produced using a biomass balance approach, in which renewable feedstocks—such as renewable natural gas derived from landfill waste—are introduced at the start of the production process and allocated to specific products via a certified mass balance method.

BASF said the product has been certified under the REDcert² scheme, providing third-party verification of the renewable feedstock allocation and supporting lifecycle-based carbon footprint calculations.

“Elastrospray BMB isocyanate enables our customers to leverage a reduced product carbon footprint in our SPF insulation systems without changing formulations, processing conditions, or application practices,” said Nancy Houle, business director for spray polyurethanes North America at BASF.

The isocyanate is intended for use in BASF SPF systems including Walltite RSB and Enertite series formulations, which are used in residential and commercial building insulation. These systems can be supported by environmental product declarations (EPDs), allowing their use in building lifecycle assessments and green building programs.

The product is manufactured using renewable energy inputs and supplied to the North American market, where BASF is targeting demand from construction stakeholders seeking lower-carbon materials without changes to application processes.

Photo: © BASF

BASF US