BASF is already producing, at the Guaratinguetá Chemical Complex, Luviset® 360, a raw material that acts as a thickener in the manufacture of alcohol gel and was until then produced and imported from Germany. This, due to a significant increase in the consumption of the product for asepsis, which has been an important ally in the fight against the new coronavirus. The thickener produced by the company is an aqueous dispersion of acrylic copolymer that gives viscosity to the formulation.

"The sudden increase in demand for alcohol gel, due to the sanitary emergency, caused a shortage of thickeners in the market. Therefore, we sought in our portfolio the best alternative that would deliver viscosity to alcohol gel formulations and that could have immediate availability" , explains Tatiana Kalman, BASF's vice president of Care Chemicals for South America. "We believe that the chemical industry has an essential role in this moment of crisis, as we have products, solutions, technologies and services that serve extremely important industries in the combating Covid-19, including the personal care, hygiene and cleaning products sector ", he considers.

Luviset® was already part of the personal care portfolio, used for different cosmetic purposes, and meets the requirements set out in the Substance Lists established by ANVISA for the Regularization of Cosmetic Products, as well as the toxicological assessment guaranteeing the product's safety profile. To support manufacturers, together with the alternative of the raw material, BASF's technical team developed a formulation proposal for the finished product.

BASF offers solutions that make it possible to manufacture the product, from raw materials to technical support, through its laboratories and specialists. Recently, the company also launched the We Care platform (https://we-care.basf.com.br/wecare-home), to share information on formulations and products that help fight coronavirus, targeting different industries.

Social engagement 

The moment of crisis that the whole world shares is generating examples of solidarity and cooperation between people and companies. Preventive hygiene actions are among the main fronts to prevent the spread of the virus. BASF joined the humanitarian actions of customers and partners, donating supplies for the production of gel alcohol, in addition to hygiene and cleaning products for hospitals, health services and communities. "The last month shows that only together can we overcome the crisis", considers Tatiana.

With the donation of thickener for the production of alcohol gel to partner companies, tons of antiseptic have already been produced and are being destined by these companies to people in social vulnerability, government and public health networks. "We are pleased to be able to contribute to our clients in such important actions. More than ever, it is essential to be together with our clients and partners to be able to meet the current demands with agility and security", explains Renata Oki, director of Personal Care at BASF to South America.

Thus, in addition to efforts to protect its employees, BASF, which aims to create chemistry for a sustainable future, in line with its social engagement strategy, is supporting the value chain and society in facing the Covid-19 crisis .

About BASF - At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. The more than 117,000 employees of the BASF Group work to contribute to the success of our customers in almost every sector and in almost every country in the world. Our portfolio is organized into six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industry Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Personal Care and Agriculture Solutions. BASF generated sales of 59 billion euros in 2019. BASF shares are traded on the Frankfurt stock exchange (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the United States. For more information, visit: www.basf.com.br.

About BASF Care Chemicals 

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. The more than 117,000 employees of the BASF Group work to contribute to the success of our customers in almost every sector and in almost every country in the world. Our portfolio is organized into six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industry Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Personal Care and Agriculture Solutions. BASF generated sales of 59 billion euros in 2019. BASF shares are traded on the Frankfurt stock exchange (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the United States. For more information, visit: www.basf.com.br.