BASF SE

07/03/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/03/2024 02:00

Joint News Release BASF supports Graphit Kropfmühl, a subsidiary of AMG Critical Materials N.V., with innovative renewable electricity concept

  • BASF to supply renewable energy certificates to its supplier and partner Graphit Kropfmühl
  • Graphit Kropfmühl to reduce the product carbon footprint (PCF) of graphite produced in Hauzenberg, Germany, by at least 25 percent
  • BASF to use the reduced PCF graphite as raw material for Neopor® with a reduced product carbon footprint

BASF and Graphit Kropfmühl, a subsidiary of AMG Critical Materials N.V., have entered into an innovative agreement to reduce their product carbon footprint. Under this agreement, BASF will supply renewable energy certificates (so called "Guarantees of Origin") to Graphit Kropfmühl's production site in Hauzenberg, Germany.

A Guarantee of Origin ("GoO") certifies that a given amount of power was produced in a particular renewable power plant, thus providing a tangible proof of the usage and source of the renewable power. By using these GoOs, the carbon footprint of graphite produced by Graphit Kropfmühl at the Hauzenberg site will be reduced by at least 25 percent. This graphite will then be used by BASF as a raw material for the production of Neopor®, which will therefore also have a lower product carbon footprint. BASF's Neopor® is used as raw material for insulation products for buildings.

"With this innovative concept, we act hand in hand with our customers and beyond the boundaries of our own factory gates to effectively protect the climate. By deepening our collaboration with Graphit Kropfmühl, we are able to accelerate the journey towards net zero together," said Horatio Evers, Managing Director of BASF Renewable Energy GmbH.

Yong Liu, Director of Global Direct Procurement Plastic Additives at BASF, added: "This is a win-win for BASF and Graphit Kropfmühl - a pragmatic approach with a positive impact that will strengthen our long-standing partnership with Graphit Kropfmühl and shows that we are pulling together when it comes to sustainability. Neopor® and Neopor® BMB are solutions with an oustanding insulation performance and sustainability profile. The use of graphite with a reduced product carbon footprint from our partner Graphit Kropfmühl is a consequent further step on our journey to net zero. BASF is also working on further such projects with other partners."

"We are excited to deepen our partnership with BASF by reducing our product carbon footprint (PCF) by at least 25 percent and moving towards a more sustainable future together," said Thomas Junker, CEO of Graphit Kropfmühl.

On its journey towards climate neutrality, BASF has set itself ambitious goals and is striving to achieve net zero CO2 emissions by 2050. One major lever to achieve these targets is the use of renewable power. BASF has therefore conducted significant investments into renewable power sources over the past years.

AMG was founded on the principle that CO2 abatement targets would create increased criticality for specialty materials. This strategic focus is encapsulated in the company's Enabled CO2 Reduction Portfolio concept ("ECO2RP") at the level of AMG's customers. Its strategic focus is fully aligned with and supports the EU Taxonomy. As a subsidiary of AMG, Graphit Kropfmühl supports the parent company's commitment to reduce its direct CO2 emissions by 20 percent from a baseline of 2019 until 2030. This corresponds to a total reduction of 125,000 tons of CO2.