BASF has subscribed to two Ellen MacArthur Foundation (EMF) programmes for circular economy solutions.
The Ludwigshafen, Germany-based chemical giant said on 4 May that it had joined the EMF's “Circular Economy 100” programme (CE100) which has been established to enable organisations to learn, build capacity, network and collaborate to benefit from a circular economy approach.
“The engagement in the multi-stakeholder platform provides additional opportunities to learn and collaborate with partners along the value chain,” the BASF statement said.
“We are pleased to welcome BASF to the programme, to offer their unique perspective on the key role chemistry plays in developing new processes and solutions across the value chain,” said Casper Jorna, CE100 programme lead.
The company has also become a member in the EMF's “New Plastics Economy” initiative that brings together key stakeholders to rethink and redesign the future of plastics, starting with packaging.
BASF said it would work closely with the initiative's participants to bring about a circular economy for plastics.
“As a manufacturer with a broad plastics portfolio for the automotive, household appliance, construction and packaging industries, we can contribute to the Foundation's platform a wealth of expertise in plastics, their properties and recycling opportunities,” said Jens Hamprecht, head of market development biopolymers, BASF.
For example, he added, the company can share its experience with biodegradable and partially bio-based plastics in applications such as the collection of bio waste.
Founded in 2010, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation works with businesses, government and academia to build a framework for an economy that is restorative and regenerative by design. The foundation's aim is to develop an attractive and viable alternative to today's linear “take, make, dispose” model.