Having first announced its Slentite insulating panels breakthrough at the K2013 show, http://www.plasticsandrubberasia.com/sept2013/leadfeature6.html, this April, German chemicals firm BASF commissioned the pilot plant for the manufacturing of Slentite panels that will initially serve the optimisation of the performance profile and will subsequently be supplied to selected cooperation partners. This insulating material, based on a polyurethane aerogel, is thus the first to be available in the form of a heavy-duty panel as an insulating material for both new construction projects and renovation.

As announced, the new plant at the Lemförde location went into operation after 18 months of planning and construction. The plant was installed by plant engineering specialists working to specific instructions from BASF engineers. "We're very pleased to have been able to execute such a complex and novel project on time with our competent and enthusiastic team," says Dr. Hermann Bergmann, Group Leader Polyurethane Research. "Now it's a question of fine-tuning the production process." Dr. René Lochtman, Managing Director BASF Polyurethanes GmbH, also stressed the positive impact of development from the laboratory to the pilot stage: "By investing in new technologies like the Slentite pilot plant, we have succeeded in building on our very good position on the insulating materials market and strengthening the Lemförde location.

Architects, designers and building owners are constantly on the lookout for new materials for efficient building insulation that also offer plenty of design freedom. With its new insulating material, BASF says it is offering a glimpse of the future of insulation. Dr. Marc Fricke, Slentite project manager, stresses the special features of the newly developed product: "It is unique. With the pilot plant up and running, we have achieved an important goal and can soon start supplying samples to selected partners. What's more, we are now in a position to develop an industrial-scale production process."

With a lambda value of 17 mW/m•K, Slentite is said to achieve the best-possible insulation for a mechanically strong panel. It is suitable above all for interiors and offers architects design freedom as well as scoring with its minimal space requirements and moisture regulation which adds to a pleasant room-climate. The panel can be handled dust-free and processed just like conventional construction products.

BASF says that with its blend of properties, Slentite contributes to customised climate management and opens new opportunities in the construction sector for meeting the challenges of the future.