BASF adds to its range of melamine resin foams

BASF is expanding its range of the melamine resin foam Basotect with a version which has been developed specifically for use in visible applications. The new Basotect B is white and meets the highest demands when it is used as a sound absorber for optimizing the acoustics of rooms. 

 

Basotect B opens up new design options. Bright rooms which are bathed in light can be impressively showcased with the white Basotect B “The demand from architects and designers for visually appealing sound absorbers is very high,” says Johannes Kiefer, Professor in the Department of Design, Computer Science, Media at RheinMain University of Applied Sciences in Wiesbaden. Basotect B offers attractive design possibilities thanks to its white color and the various options for shaping it. Besides the established properties of Basotect, such as excellent sound absorption, flame retardancy, high inherent rigidity, and ease of processing, Basotect  has a high light reflectance value which can help to lower the lighting demand and thus save energy.

 

 

Students studying “interior design” at the University of Applied Sciences in Wiesbaden have demonstrated in a project what design options are possible with the white Basotect . The wavy structure of the object on display was designed by Vanessa Kaufmann and alludes to the sound waves which are absorbed by Basotect. The combination with light gives the object an attractive and lively appearance. The design was realized together with BASF and displayed at BASF's booth at BAU 2015.

 

Basotect is an open-cell foam based on melamine resin with a unique range of properties: thanks to its base material it is flame retardant (B1 according to DIN 4102) and can be used at up to 240°C, retaining its properties over a wide temperature range. The open-cell foam structure makes it lightweight, sound-absorbent, flexible even at low temperatures, and thermally insulating. Basotect is used primarily for sound absorption and thermal insulation in areas which are subject to more stringent fire safety requirements, for example in buildings, cars, and trains.