BASF and Sika Launch Epoxy Hardener to Provide Sustainable Solutions for the Construction Industry

BASF and Sika have jointly developed a new amine-based building block for curing epoxy resins, which is now available on the market under BASF's Baxxodur EC 151 brand. This new development is ideal for flooring applications, such as in production plants, warehouses and assembly halls, as well as in parking lots.

Baxxodur EC 151 enables epoxy flooring solutions with low viscosity and optimal flow properties. The coating is therefore easy to apply and evenly distributed. Compared to conventional hardeners, significantly less diluent is required and the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is reduced by up to 90%. Baxxodur EC 151 thus enables the production of ultra-low VOC formulations. It also allows for a greater use of mineral fillers, which not only reduces costs but also contributes to sustainable development.

Epoxy coatings formulated with Baxxodur EC 151 cure quickly and thoroughly over a wide temperature range. This prolongs their suitability during the colder months of the year, especially at temperatures between 5 and 10 degrees Celsius, where conventional hardeners tend to "freeze". The curing time is reduced by two thirds compared to conventional hardeners, which means that the coating is ready for use shortly after application.

The cured epoxy products have an attractive, smooth surface. Clouding caused by mist formation (so-called "blushing"), which often occurs in edge areas with conventional hardeners, is avoided. The products have excellent color stability and are resistant to mechanical and chemical influences. This makes them particularly durable and significantly reduces maintenance costs.

As part of the research collaboration, Sika developed the new amine building blocks as high-performance hardeners for more efficient and sustainable epoxy products and successfully used them in Sikafloor® floor coatings. BASF developed a suitable manufacturing process and scaled it up to large-scale production.

“The development of Baxxodur EC 151 is further proof of our support for our customers in their green transition. By collaborating with Sika, we are leveraging our extensive chemical expertise to successfully implement new sustainable solutions through scalable and cost-effective processes,” said Vasilios Galanos, Senior Vice President Intermediates Europe at BASF.

“Baxxodur EC 151 makes an important contribution to a resource-efficient future for the construction industry. The close collaboration between Sika and BASF was crucial in the development of this innovative solution, enabling our customers to better achieve their efficiency and sustainability goals,” said Urs Burckhardt, Head of Research at Sika.