ECONOMY AND MARKET |
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Expansion of Basf ’ s plastic additives portfolio in Pontecchio Marconi , Italy |
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The Basf site in Pontecchio Marconi , Italy
Basf announced the technical completion of the newly constructed plant for the plastic additives business at its site located in Pontecchio Marconi , Italy . The state-of-the-art facility will deliver a wider range of NOR ® solutions to support Basf ’ s leading position in the strategically important and growing agriculture industry . Plasticulture , the use of plastic materials in agricultural applications , plays an important role in helping farmers enhance crop productivity and food quality in an increasingly difficult environment . Agricultural plastics must be capable of protecting the crops enduring exposure to harsher ultraviolet and heat radiation and be impervious to the chemicals used by farmers
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to treat plants ’ diseases and for disinfection practices . The demand for such reinforced plastics continues |
to increase rapidly . The novel Basf NOR ® technology platform consists of a range of outstanding light and thermal stabilizers that are especially effective in plasticulture applications such as greenhouse covers , macro and small tunnels , nettings and substrate bags . The Basf Pontecchio site has already been a major production unit for hindered amine light stabilizers HALS and NOR ® HALS product ranges . It is also home to the global testing hub for agricultural applications and the regional weathering center . The expansion makes use of the existing infrastructure and generates new opportunities to serve the growing customer demand . The new plant , which is equipped with a recently developed digital technology platform , will provide innovative solutions that accelerate the site ’ s progression towards industry 4.0 . The new communication platform , for example , allows maintenance , troubleshooting and configuration of instruments to be done remotely over industrial ethernet which provides more security and stability . The design of the plant also incorporates the latest technology to increase energy efficiency , while decreasing CO2 and noise emissions . The production line includes motors with the highest International Energy efficiency class IE4 . The building |
walls are also insulated with sound absorption panels that reduces the noise emission compared to industry standard . Thanks to these state-ofthe-art technologies , the new plant contributes to the company ’ s sustainability targets . “ With the expanded capacity in Pontecchio Marconi , we are well positioned to better serve the growing plasticulture market with a broader range of NOR ® technology . Farmers are the foundation of the agricultural system . With the NOR ® technology platform and the knowhow of our experts , we take the responsibility to optimize the level of performance of agricultural plastics applications and support the farmers ’ move towards a more sustainable farming system . They can focus on their core business of cultivating crops ,” said Dr . Achim Sties , Senior Vice President , Performance Chemicals Europe , Basf . Greenhouses , for instance , with covers made with the NOR ® stabilized films create a favorable environment with the optimum light for growing fruits , vegetables and flowers and for pollinators such as auxiliary insects , bumblebees , thereby enhancing biodiversity . This is both an economic and environmental benefit for food producers who can improve their yield and better contribute to sustainable agricultural practices . |
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