n  Showcasing the latest sustainability progress, along with its innovative low-carbon technologies and sustainable solutions

n  Co-initiating the “Pioneer Alliance for Zero-Carbon Recyclable Paper Cups” with its partners, to drive the recycling of paper cups

Shanghai, China – June 5, 2024 – BASF demonstrates its continuous efforts in leading the way towards carbon neutrality at the 2024 Shanghai International Carbon Neutrality Expo in Technologies, Products and Achievements (“Shanghai Carbon Neutrality Expo”, CNE). Under the theme "Spearhead Carbon Neutrality with Co-creation and Collaboration", BASF presents its latest progress towards its goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, as well as its innovative low-carbon technologies and co-creation with its partners.

Photo 1: BASF participated in the 2024 Shanghai Carbon Neutrality Expo 

“BASF’s leading low-carbon technologies and solutions are on full display at Shanghai Carbon Neutrality Expo. They demonstrate how we enable our customers’ green transformation and commercial success with our chemical innovations”, said Dr. Jeffrey Lou, President and Chairman of BASF Greater China. “Both innovation and collaboration are profound and essential to create a sustainable future. Our theme for CNE this year highlights the importance of collaboration with our value chain partners. Through collaboration and co-creation, we are dedicated to the shared vision of carbon neutrality.”

Photo 2: A visitor at BASF’s booth studying BASF’s innovative low-carbon technologies and sustainable solutions

Latest development towards BASF’s climate protection goal

As the world’s leading chemical company, BASF is a frontrunner in driving green transformation: we have set the climate protection goal, aiming to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Last December, BASF further developed its goal by committing to target for Scope 3.1 emissions: to reduce its specific Scope 3.1 emissions by 15 percent compared with 2022 and to achieve net-zero Scope 3.1 emissions by 2050. This new commitment takes into account more stakeholders along the value chain and lays the solid foundation for collaborations with BASF’s suppliers and customers to develop economic, eco-friendly and practical solutions.

Photo 3: The “Pioneer Alliance for Zero-Carbon Recyclable Paper Cups” has been launched, aiming to promote the recycling of single-use paper cups

To realize this vision, BASF makes its sustainability commitments along the value chain – from responsible procurement, safe and efficient production, to sustainable solutions to its customers.

During the 2024 Shanghai Carbon Neutrality Expo, BASF also showcases development and progress on multiple low-carbon-emission production technologies, including the world’s first large-scale electrically heated steam cracker furnace. Jointly developed by BASF, SABIC and Linde, this demonstration plant started up at BASF’s Ludwigshafen site earlier this year. By using electricity from renewable sources, the new technology has the potential to reduce CO₂ emissions by at least 90% compared to technologies commonly used today.

At its CNE booth, BASF also demonstrates the range and reach of its sustainable solutions that support green transformation and circular economy across different industries, including electric vehicles, new energy, sustainable agriculture and consumer goods. From chemical products with lower carbon footprints to advanced material technologies, BASF and its partners are transforming sustainable concepts into accessible products.

Pivoting towards a green value chain with its partners through co-creation and collaboration

In addition to providing sustainable solutions to its customers, BASF is also collaborating with its partners to create momentum and pivot towards a green value chain. Guided by Shanghai Foreign Investment Association (“SFIA”), BASF, Asia Pulp & Paper, DBC Group, and Hunan Lido co-initiated the “Pioneer Alliance for Zero-Carbon Recyclable Paper Cups” (“Pioneer Alliance”) at SFIA Enterprises Low-carbon Technology Conference. The Pioneer Alliance aims to promote the recycling of single-use paper cups and calls out for more partners to join forces and promote resource optimization, circular economy, and carbon emission reduction. Today, Carbonebook and Nespresso of the Nestlé Group have already joined the Pioneer Alliance.

More specifically, the Pioneer Alliance seeks to lead the closed-loop raw material and waste management of paper cups with water-based barrier coatings that employ BASF’s Joncryl^® High Performance Barrier (HPB) dispersions. It covers the entire material flow of pulp and paper along the value chain: production, consumption, recycling and regeneration. Unlike traditional polyethylene (PE) coated ones, paper cups with water-based coatings can be easily shredded and the coatings can be easily separated from the paper fibers. This means these paper cups can be fed directly into paper mills for recycling. Paper cups are typically made from high-quality paper, a renewable resource, and they are widely used in various applications. Therefore, raising their recyclability can enhance the optimization of forest resources and reduce carbon emissions.

The Pioneer Alliance will also engage standard organizations and environmental certification bodies, to assess the effectiveness of this practice in reducing carbon emissions and recycling waste. This exemplary practice could see wide adoption in the catering industry in the future.