BASF celebrates the 40th birthday of Basotect, the world’s first melamine resin foam. It was introduced into the market in 1984 as a flame-retardant alternative to conventional foams used for sound proofing and thermal insulation in construction.

Since then, customers have come to appreciate Basotect for its high performance and versatility: It is available in eight grades for different applications, amongst them the famous cleaning sponge, which simply rubs off the dirt without the help of cleaning agents. The thermoset foam is a symbol of BASF’s innovative power in the foams business unlocking its potential for industries as diverse as construction, automotive, public transport, cleaning, aerospace and renewable energies with a focus on safety and energy efficiency.

BASF has continued to invest into Basotect and its customers’ needs for a specialty foam: This resulted in its being the world’s leading melamine foam based on its constantly high material quality and reliable supply from the two production plants in Germany.

“Being a market pioneer, we are committed to constantly optimize Basotect and our services to meet our customers’ needs for first-class material, innovation and sustainability”, says Tarek Abuzarour, head of the global Basotect business at BASF.

“Backed by a portfolio which is unsurpassed in quality and breadth we are looking forward to continuing to shape the foam industry: as a trusted partner pushing sustainability and ensuring energy-efficiency, a low carbon footprint and well-being. For example, we now also offer a cold-flexible Basotect grade for the durable insulation of cryogenic applications like pipes in LNG terminals.”