BASF wins innovation prize with insecticidal nets for wood

* ComplionTM Forest Protection receives innovation prize at Interforst 2010
* Environmentally compatible and innovative solution to control bark beetles
* Net technology – the future of forest crop protection

Ludwigshafen , Limburgerhof, Germany - BASF has been awarded an innovation prize by the Kuratorium für Waldarbeit und Forsttechnik e. V. (KWF) (Curatorium for Forestry and Forest Technology) for its ComplionTM forest protection system based on the use of insecticidal nets for wood. KWF and Munich International Trade Fairs presented the innovation medals at Interforst 2010, to recognize highly innovative forestry solutions.



Insecticidal net technology is a new approach to the protection of wood products in forestry and controls various insect species, such as bark beetles from the family Scolytidae, which breed in bark and wood. The nets are a further development of BASF’s Interceptor® LLIN Technology (long-lasting insecticide impregnated nets), which were developed with a slow-release insecticide to combat the spread of malaria. A series of initial field trials has confirmed the effectiveness of the net technology for use in forestry.



BASF’s insecticidal nets are highly effective and environmentally compatible. They demonstrate a smart fusion of BASF’s expertise in textile finishing and crop protection products combining a unique textile finishing process and a fast-acting insecticide. The insecticide, together with a polymer binder, is applied directly to the fibers of the net in an industrial process. This regulates a controlled release of the active ingredient and ensures long-term effectiveness. Only a small amount of active substance is released continuously on the surface of the net but this is sufficient to actively control the bark beetle. The reusable nets are effective for a long period of up to a season. The nets are tear-resistant and a UV stabilizer prevents them from becoming brittle in the sunshine. Furthermore, the insecticidal nets can be recycled: If the waste from wood that is protected with this system for a limited period is used for generating energy, the nets can be thermally recycled in an environmentally compatible way.



Thomas Zühlke, Product Manager Forestry Europe at BASF, commented on the award of the innovation medal at Interforst: “Innovative solutions are important for sustainable forestry protection. We are pleased that the commission of independent experts has honored a concept that is a smart supplement to conventional methods.”



Intelligent protection solutions will play an increasingly important role in forestry in the coming years. In terms of area, forestry is the most important form of land use in Germany after agriculture. It accounts for an annual turnover of 170 billion euros and employs 1.2 million people. The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE) assumes that the market will develop positively in the future after the slumps in the years 2008 and 2009. The driving forces in this development are particularly the expansion of energy-efficient and environmentally acceptable approaches in the construction industry and the use of wood for the production of energy. Thus it is expected that trade with wood pellets alone will double by 2012.



However, the forestry industry is also facing a series of different challenges that could influence long term growth in this sector: Climate changes mean that damage by bark beetles is on the increase – and this on trees that are already weakened by drought and heat; stricter regulations will also lead to a rethink in the industry, which will increase the importance of preventative forest protection measures and thus the environmental compatibility of pest control solutions in this area will play an increasingly significant role.



Against this background, with its many years of expertise in the field of forestry management, BASF has been working since 2008 to develop sustainable and effective forestry protection solutions that focus on environmental compatibility and user friendliness. BASF is working on this project in cooperation with the Nordwestdeutsche Forstliche Versuchsanstalt (North West German Forestry Experimental Station) in Göttingen and the Institut für Waldschutz des Bundesforschungs- & Ausbildungszentrums für Wald, Naturgefahren & Landschaft (BFW) (Forest Protection Department of the Austrian Research & Training Center for Forests, Natural Hazards & Landscape) in Vienna.



BASF and its Crop Protection division have been carrying out research for forestry management for more than ten years. Following regulatory approval, first market introductions of the ComplionTM product family are expected to start at the end of 2011.



About the Crop Protection division

With sales of €3.6 billion in 2009, BASF’s Crop Protection division is a leader in crop protection and a strong partner to the farming industry providing well-established and innovative fungicides, insecticides and herbicides. Farmers use these products and services to improve crop yields and crop quality. Other uses include public health, structural/urban pest control, turf and ornamental plants, vegetation management, and forestry. BASF aims to turn knowledge rapidly into market success. The vision of BASF’s Crop Protection division is to be the world’s leading innovator, optimizing agricultural production, improving nutrition, and thus enhancing the quality of life for a growing world population. Further information can be found on the web at www.agro.basf.com .



Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/basfagro and subscribe via RSS: www.basf.com/rss to our news feed.



About BASF

BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics and performance products to agricultural products, fine chemicals and oil and gas. As a reliable partner, BASF creates chemistry to help its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges, such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF posted sales of more than €50 billion in 2009 and had approximately 105,000 employees as of the end of the year. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com .