BASF shifting polyisobutene portfolio in Europe to run entirely on renewable electricity

In a decisive step toward a greener chemical industry, BASF announced that its European polyisobutene (PIB) portfolio for external customers will be produced entirely with renewable electricity. The move targets the flagship Oppanol® B and Glissopal® product lines, aiming for a full transition by January 2027. By leveraging on‑site renewable power and additional green electricity purchases, BASF hopes to cut the carbon footprint of these high‑volume polymers, reinforcing its commitment to climate neutrality and setting a benchmark for the sector.

What Happened

Earlier this month, BASF disclosed a plan to shift the production of eligible PIB grades in Europe to 100 % renewable electricity. The initiative covers the Oppanol® B series—widely used in adhesives, sealants and personal care formulations—and the Glissopal® range, a key component in lubricants and polymer additives. The company will achieve the transition by combining renewable power already generated at its Ludwigshafen and other European sites with additional green electricity sourced from the grid.

Implementation will roll out in phases, beginning with pilot batches in late 2024 and scaling up to full capacity by the start of 2027. BASF has set clear milestones, including a 30 % renewable electricity share by the end of 2025 and a 60 % share by the end of 2026, before reaching the final 100 % target. The company also pledged to transparently report progress through its annual sustainability report and third‑party verification.

Key Details

The renewable electricity mix will be sourced primarily from wind and solar farms across Germany, France, and the Netherlands, regions where BASF already has power purchase agreements (PPAs). By integrating on‑site solar installations with off‑site PPAs, the firm expects to offset the entire electricity demand of the PIB production lines, estimated at roughly 1.2 TWh per year. This volume represents about 5 % of BASF’s total European electricity consumption.

To ensure product quality remains unchanged, BASF will conduct extensive validation testing throughout the transition. Early trials have shown that the polymerization process is indifferent to the electricity source, provided the power supply remains stable. The company also plans to certify the renewable electricity supply chain under the Guarantees of Origin (GoO) framework, giving customers verifiable proof of the green credentials of their PIB purchases.

Financially, BASF anticipates a modest increase in production costs—estimated at 2‑3 %—due to premium prices for renewable electricity. However, the firm expects these costs to be offset over time by lower carbon pricing liabilities, potential subsidies, and growing market demand for low‑carbon polymer solutions. BASF will pass a portion of the cost advantage to customers through differentiated pricing tiers that reflect the sustainability value of the product.

Background

Polyisobutene is a versatile synthetic rubber derived from isobutene, used in a broad spectrum of applications ranging from automotive lubricants to consumer cosmetics. Historically, its production has relied on fossil‑based feedstocks and conventional grid electricity, contributing significantly to greenhouse‑gas emissions. BASF’s Oppanol® B and Glissopal® brands together account for several hundred thousand tonnes of PIB sold annually across Europe, making them a strategic focus for the company’s decarbonization roadmap.

The announcement aligns with BASF’s broader climate targets, which aim for net‑zero greenhouse‑gas emissions at its sites by 2050 and a 25 % reduction in scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030 compared to 2018 levels. In recent years, the company has invested heavily in renewable energy projects, such as the 100‑MW solar park in France and multiple wind PPAs, positioning itself to meet the ambitious renewable electricity share required for the PIB transition.

Why It Matters

Switching to renewable electricity for PIB production tackles a critical source of indirect emissions in the chemical value chain. As downstream industries—automotive, packaging, personal care—tighten their own sustainability requirements, they increasingly demand raw materials with verified low‑carbon footprints. By offering 100 % renewable‑powered PIB, BASF not only reduces its own carbon intensity but also enables customers to meet their own ESG commitments, potentially opening new market opportunities and premium pricing.

The move also signals a broader shift within the petrochemical sector, where large‑scale renewable electricity procurement has traditionally been limited to energy‑intensive processes like ammonia or ethylene production. Demonstrating that specialty polymers can be produced sustainably may accelerate similar initiatives across other product lines, fostering industry‑wide innovation in green manufacturing practices.

What Happens Next

In the coming months, BASF will finalize the contractual framework for additional PPAs and expand its on‑site renewable installations. The company will also launch a digital tracking platform that allows customers to monitor the renewable electricity attribution for each PIB batch they receive, enhancing transparency and trust. Parallel to the technical rollout, BASF plans a series of stakeholder workshops to educate customers, regulators, and NGOs about the environmental benefits and technical robustness of the renewable‑powered PIB.

Looking ahead, BASF intends to replicate the renewable electricity model for other polymer families, such as polybutadiene and synthetic rubbers used in tire manufacturing. The success of the PIB transition could serve as a blueprint for scaling renewable energy use across the company’s global network, ultimately contributing to BASF’s ambition of carbon‑neutral operations and reinforcing Europe’s leadership in sustainable chemical production.

By committing its European polyisobutene portfolio to 100 % renewable electricity, BASF not only advances its own climate goals but also provides a tangible pathway for the chemical industry to decarbonize. The initiative underscores the growing importance of renewable power as a core driver of industrial sustainability, setting a precedent that could reshape polymer manufacturing for years to come.