BASF's Circular Strategy to Power India's Sustainable Plastics Future

NEW DELHI, INDIA – January 19, 2026 – As India charts a course toward economic self-reliance and environmental stewardship under its 'Bharat Next' initiative, chemical industry leader BASF is positioning itself at the forefront of the nation's green transformation. At the upcoming PlastIndia 2026 exhibition, the company is set to unveil a comprehensive portfolio of innovations designed to tackle the entire lifecycle of plastics, from sustainable creation to high-value recycling.

From February 5 to 10, BASF will transform its booth into a showcase of what it calls '#OurPlasticsJourney,' a three-pronged strategy addressing the 'Make,' 'Use,' and 'Recycle' phases of plastic materials. This holistic approach moves beyond incremental improvements, presenting a systemic vision for a circular economy that aligns with both BASF's ambitious global sustainability targets—including a goal to double its circular economy sales to €17 billion by 2030—and India's urgent need for advanced waste management solutions.

Designing for Sustainability: The 'Make' Phase

BASF's strategy begins at the molecular level, emphasizing the importance of designing sustainable materials from their inception. A key highlight will be a mobile phone cover crafted from Elastollan® N, a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) that is 53% bio-based. This material demonstrates that a reduced reliance on fossil fuels need not compromise performance, offering the durability, clarity, and anti-yellowing properties demanded by the consumer electronics market.

This focus on proactive design is further enabled by the company's Ultrasim® simulation technology. This digital tool allows product designers to accurately predict how a plastic part will behave under stress, enabling the creation of lighter, more resource-efficient components without the need for extensive physical prototyping. By optimizing designs for strength and material reduction before a single mold is made, Ultrasim® directly contributes to reducing manufacturing waste and energy consumption, a critical step in minimizing the environmental impact of plastic goods.

Complementing these technologies are BASF's Creation Centers, which function as hubs where global design trends meet material science. By integrating aesthetic considerations with functional performance from the outset, the company aims to prove that sustainable materials can also be at the cutting edge of design and consumer appeal.

The 'Use' Phase: Extending Lifespans and Enhancing Performance

For plastics to be truly sustainable, they must perform reliably and durably throughout their intended lifespan. BASF is addressing this 'Use' phase with a suite of advanced materials and additives designed for some of the most demanding industries.

Nowhere is this more evident than in the automotive and eMobility sectors, a key growth area for the Indian economy. BASF will showcase advanced solutions for battery pack components, E-Drive systems, and thermal safety materials that offer superior mechanical strength and electrical insulation. These innovations are crucial for building safer, more efficient electric vehicles.

Beyond mobility, the company's VALERAS® portfolio of plastic additives plays a vital role in extending the useful life of plastic products across various applications. For India's vast agricultural sector, additives like Tinuvin® NOR® protect greenhouse films from degradation caused by harsh sunlight and agrochemicals, supporting more sustainable and productive plasticulture. In the renewable energy sector, these additives can extend the operational life of floating solar pontoons to over 30 years, significantly reducing replacement costs and material waste. Similar performance enhancements are being brought to critical infrastructure like high-voltage power cables and rotomolded water tanks, improving their durability and energy efficiency.

Consumer and medical applications also feature prominently. A recyclable 3D mesh pillow made from Elastollan TPU offers a hygienic, breathable, and washable alternative to traditional pillows, while in healthcare, the same family of materials provides biocompatible and flexible solutions for wound dressings, catheters, and medical tubes.

Closing the Loop: The 'Recycle' Phase

A circular economy for plastics hinges on the ability to effectively recover and repurpose materials at the end of their life. This is arguably the most challenging phase, particularly in India, where an estimated 9.5 million tonnes of plastic waste are generated annually and the formal recycling infrastructure is still developing. BASF is tackling this challenge head-on with groundbreaking technologies.

A prime example is the fully recyclable concept shoe, made entirely from different grades of TPU. By eliminating the adhesives and mixed materials that make conventional footwear nearly impossible to recycle, this design allows the entire shoe to be granulated and remolded into new, high-quality products. The process, which utilizes Supercritical Fluid (SCF) direct-injection technology, points toward a zero-waste future for the footwear industry.

Perhaps the most impactful innovation for India's recycling landscape is the trinamiX Mobile Spectroscopy Solution. This handheld device, developed by BASF subsidiary trinamiX GmbH, uses near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy to identify over 25 different types of plastics—including compostable variants—in a matter of seconds. For a country where waste sorting is often a manual and inaccurate process, this technology represents a quantum leap. By enabling recyclers to quickly and reliably separate waste streams, the trinamiX PAL Two can dramatically improve the quality and value of recycled materials, providing the economic incentive needed to bolster India's formal recycling capacity and help producers meet their Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) targets under the 2024 Plastic Waste Management Rules.

To further illustrate the potential of a circular economy, BASF will also display an upcycled chess set crafted from post-consumer engineering plastics and Haptex®, a solvent-free polyurethane solution. This exhibit serves as a tangible demonstration of how waste can be transformed into durable, high-value consumer goods.

A Commitment to 'Bharat Next'

BASF's presence at PlastIndia 2026 is more than a product showcase; it is a statement of strategic alignment with India's national ambitions. The event's 'Bharat Next' theme resonates with the chemical giant's long-term commitment to the Indian market, where it has operated for over 130 years. Recent investments, including the 2025 capacity increase of its Ultramid® PA production and the local manufacturing of specialty Ultradur® grades, underscore this commitment to providing high-performance, tailored solutions for local industries.

By presenting innovations that span the entire plastics value chain, BASF is offering a roadmap for how India's rapidly growing plastics industry can decouple growth from resource depletion. The technologies on display provide tangible pathways to enhance material efficiency, extend product life, and create a robust domestic market for recycled materials, turning the challenge of plastic waste into an economic and environmental opportunity for a self-reliant India.