After 18 months of planning and construction, the Performance Materials division of German chemicals giant BASF (Ludwigshafen; www.basf.com) in April commissioned the pilot plant for its new “Slentite” (www.slentite.com) polyurethane aerogel insulation panels (for previous coverage, see Plasteurope.com of 23.09.2013). In a press release issued in late June, the company said the facility, located in Lemförde / Germany, is currently being fine-tuned and will initially supply a select number of cooperation partners.

The high-performance insulating material is based on a polyurethane aerogel and the first of its kind available as a heavy-duty panel, BASF said. Designed for construction and renovation projects, the panel offers space-saving, efficient and slim insulation, the company added, saying that its lambda value of 17 mW/m·K “achieves the best-possible insulation for a mechanically strong panel.” The material allows architects a lot of design freedom and is particularly suitable for interior usage. Thanks to its moisture regulation it adds to a pleasant room climate, BASF said, adding that it can be handled dust-free and is processed like conventional construction products.