BASF to increase production capacity for bismuth vanadate in Besigheim

BASF has announced that it is going to significantly increase its production capacities of bismuth vanadate pigments in Besigheim near Stuttgart, Germany. The additional capacities will be available as of 2017.

Bismuth vanadate pigments are yellow pigments with a special greenish colour tone, that BASF markets under the Sicopal and Paliotan brand names. They are a high performance inorganic alternative to pigments containing lead chromate, which, according to the EU chemicals regulation REACH, are classified as CMR substances (carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction). As of this year, BASF is no longer producing any pigments containing lead chromate.

In 2013, BASF launched the particularly colour-intense yellow Sicopal L1130 pigment, which is well established in the market. The product is used as an alternative to zinc-containing formulations and enables highly chromatic yellow shades with high weather fastness.