BASF SE : provides unmatched comfort and quiet on board new luxury yacht

• Basotect used for first time in a Sunbird luxury yacht
• Engine noise aboard the Sunbird 108 ft. series reduced dramatically

The melamine foam Basotect is applied to the new 108 ft. series from Sunbird Yacht Co., Ltd. (Sunbird), to reduce noise from the engine. This will provide owners and guests with unmatched comfort and quietness on board. Sunbird is one of the largest yacht makers in China.

'Basotect has been widely used in cars, trains and airplanes for many years to provide a smooth, quiet ride. Now, it is used for the first time in a yacht of that size, showing how great acoustics are possible in all kinds of transportation,' said Mr. Kin Wah Chay, Vice President, Global Business Management Specialty Plastics, BASF.

Basotect is applied to the engine compartment's side panels, which are a major outlet for noise from the motor. 'Yacht owners demand quality, luxury, and performance from their craft. This includes quiet, comfortable compartments. We chose Basotect for its excellent sound absorbing values in the high and medium frequency ranges,' said Ms. Dairong Hu, Vice General Manager of Sunbird.

Along with its excellent sound absorption properties, Basotect is of low flammability and resistant to high temperatures. The high-performance material is thermally stable up to 240°C and can thus withstand the high operating temperatures adjacent to the yacht's engine.

Yacht owners have become increasingly aware of the energy efficiency level of the yachts that they purchase. Aside from its sound absorption and heat resistance properties, lightweight Basotect can also improve yacht performance. 'In order to keep fuel consumption and CO emissions at a low level, our designers were required to use very lightweight materials wherever possible,' Ms. Dairong Hu added. 'With a density of only 9 kg/m³, Basotect is lighter than the traditional acoustic materials. Moreover, using Basotectcan avoid damage to the engine from dust particles caused by fiber based acoustic materials.'

Basotect melamine resin foam is easily processed by blade and wire-cutting as well as by sawing and milling - enabling dimensions and contours of customized components to be easily and exactly produced. Basotect can also be thermoformed with felt, fabrics, metal foil and plastic film to form parts with complex design.

Production site located in Zhuhai, Guangdong, Sunbird is now one of the largest high performance composite and Steel-FRP boats and yachts manufactures in China. The processing and installation of Basotect for Sunbird 108 ft. series are provided by Guangzhou NVHXIN Material Co., Ltd.

About Basotect
Basotectfoam has a unique range of properties. Its base material makes it flame-retardant and abrasive; it can be used at up to 240°C and retains its properties over a wide temperature range. Because of its open-cell foam structure, it is light, sound-absorbing, flexible even at low temperatures and thermally insulating. Basotectis a registered trademark of BASF SE. More information: www.basotect.com

About BASF's Performance Materials Division
BASF's Performance Materials division encompasses the entire materials know-how of BASF regarding innovative, customized plastics under one roof. Globally active in four major industry sectors - transportation, construction, industrial applications and consumer goods - the division has a strong portfolio of products and services combined with a deep understanding of application-oriented system solutions. Key drivers of profitability and growth are our close collaboration with customers and a clear focus on solutions. Strong capabilities in R&D provide the basis to develop innovative products and applications. In 2015, the Performance Materials division achieved global sales of € 6.7 bn. More information online: www.performance-materials.basf.com

About BASF
At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. The approximately 112,000 employees in the BASF Group work on contributing to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio is organized into five segments: Chemicals, Performance Products, Functional Materials & Solutions, Agricultural Solutions and Oil & Gas. BASF generated sales of more than €70 billion in 2015. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information at www.basf.com.