BASF is going to significantly increase its production capacities of bismuth vanadate pigments in Besigheim near Stuttgart. The additional capacities will be available as of 2017. Bismuth vanadate pigments are yellow pigments with a special greenish color tone, that BASF markets under the Sicopal and Paliotan brand names. Customers use them for the formulation of paints, coatings and plastic coatings.Bismuth vanadate pigments are a high performance inorganic alternative to pigments containing lead chromate, which, according to the EU chemicals regulation REACH, are classified as CMR substances (carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction). "Over the next few years we expect our customers' demand for bismuth vanadate pigments to grow faster than the overall pigment market, both in Europe and worldwide. By expanding the production capacities we respond to this increase in demand," explains Dr. Alexander Haunschild, Senior Vice President of the business unit Pigments & Resins Europe. As of this year, BASF is no longer producing any pigments containing lead chromate. "We are committed to offering our customers innovative products that enable them to develop sustainable solutions," underlines Haunschild.
In the field of bismuth vanadate pigments, BASF is one of the global market leaders and has a comprehensive portfolio that is continually being expanded. In 2013, BASF launched the particularly color-intense yellow Sicopal L1130 pigment, which is well established in the market. The product is used as alternative to zinc-containing formulations and enables highly chromatic yellow shades with high weather fastness. In 2015, BASF is also going to introduce a newly developed alkali-stable bismuth vanadate pigment for the formulation of paints as well as a temperature-stable bismuth vanadate pigment for plastic applications.
