BASF: Engineering Plastics for Electrification, Lightweighting and the Circular Economy

Innovative "Ultramid" H enables sausages in artificial casings to be smoked and subsequently dried - (Photo: BASF).

At Fakuma 2026, BASF will showcase new and enhanced plastics solutions for food packaging, industrial applications, automotive engineering, electrification and digital infrastructure. The focus will be on engineering plastics combining high mechanical, thermal and electrical performance with circular-economy approaches, improved resource efficiency and more resilient supply chains.

For food applications, BASF will present "Ultramid H33 L", a thermoplastic polyamide with high water-vapor permeability. The material is designed for smoke-permeable artificial sausage casings and is intended to provide a thin-walled polyamide alternative to collagen or cellulose casings. BASF is also expanding its polyamide portfolio with "Ultramid A27AE1 L", a new PA66 grade featuring an improved yellowness index and low moisture content for industrial applications.

Advert

In lightweighting, BASF will showcase "Ultramid Expand", a polyamide-based particle foam designed for lightweight, crash-resistant components with high temperature resistance. The material is aimed particularly at automotive applications requiring a combination of low weight, mechanical strength, processability and safety.

For automotive lighting, BASF will present transparent light guides made from "Elastollan" TPU. The thermoplastic polyurethane combines optical transparency with flexibility and low-temperature resistance. Its elastomeric properties can also help reduce noise caused by friction or movement in integrated components.

The by-wire demonstrator illustrates how electronically controlled braking and steering systems are paving the way for automated driving, zonal vehicle architectures and new applications for high-performance plastics - (Photo: BASF).

Another major focus is engineering plastics for electrification and software-defined vehicles. BASF is developing flame-retardant polyamides and polyphthalamides for high-voltage connectors, power electronics and other electrical and electronic applications. A demonstrator for electromechanical brake-by-wire systems features an all-plastic brake pedal with integrated sensors, control units and electromechanical actuators. As such systems increasingly replace hydraulic components with electronically controlled functions, demand is growing for plastics used in sensors, actuators, control units and pedal assemblies.

For thermostat housings: "Ultramid Advanced T1000 HR" with high hydrolysis resistance - (Photo: BASF).

With "Ultramid Advanced", BASF is targeting applications in the electrical and electronics sector. The PPA materials are designed for dimensionally stable, hydrolysis-resistant components as well as color-stable connectors. Potential applications include PCB connectors and high-voltage connectors, along with systems used in artificial intelligence, data processing, data storage and power supply.

Camera dome made from "Ultrason S" (PSU) - (Photo: BASF).

BASF's "Ultrason" high-performance plastics, based on PSU, PESU and PPSU, are intended for applications including fiber-optic connectors for data centers, cable sheathing for electric vehicles and transparent optical components. For food-contact applications, BASF is highlighting BPA- and BPS-free grades designed to meet the requirements of EU Regulation 2024/3190.

In the circular-economy segment, BASF will showcase "Elastollan RC" TPU grades containing recycled material from post-industrial and post-consumer sources. The portfolio also includes reusable transport boxes from "BOOXit" made with "Ultramid B3K", as well as new "Ultradur RC" PBT grades containing up to 30% post-consumer PET for automotive applications. Further "Ultradur" grades for drinking-water and food-contact applications will also be on display.

BASF will additionally present "Pacific", its digital Catena-X application for exchanging and calculating product carbon footprint data and for transferring company certificates as part of Company Certificate Management.

With its "High Productivity Plus" product line, BASF is also expanding its range of engineering plastics designed for more efficient processing. The portfolio includes PA6 grades that enable shorter cycle times and lower energy consumption, with further materials and PA66 grades planned. The aim is to improve productivity and energy efficiency in processing without compromising the required material properties.

Overall, the developments address several key challenges facing the plastics industry: electrification, lightweighting, digital infrastructure, regulatory requirements, circularity and processing efficiency. The emphasis is on engineering plastics for applications with demanding mechanical, thermal and electrical requirements, combined with the increased use of recycled content and digital sustainability data.

Fakuma 2026
Friedrichshafen, Germany
October 12-16, 2026
Hall B4, Booth 4303

More information: basf.com

BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany

back to news list