BASF at Fakuma 2026 Material Solutions for Packaging, the Automotive Industry, and the Circular Economy

At Fakuma 2026, BASF will showcase a portfolio of materials for food packaging, automotive manufacturing, and the circular economy. The focus will be on a new polyamide with precisely tuned water and smoke permeability, as well as several PBT and TPU grades containing recycled content for the automotive industry.

Fakuma 2026 is taking place during a period of stricter EU regulations for the plastics industry. In addition to the End-of-Life Vehicles Regulation, the new EU Packaging Regulation (PPWR) has been in effect since August 12, 2026. For plastic packaging, stricter PFAS limits for food contact will initially apply. According to the European Commission, more comprehensive requirements regarding minimum recycled content and design-for-recycling are to follow starting in 2030.

For materials manufacturers, this regulatory roadmap means that development and approval work for plastics containing recycled content and compliant with PFAS regulations must be carried out well in advance of the respective deadlines. This is also highlighted in BASF booth. The chemical company is presenting a wide range of new products in Friedrichshafen.

New PA Solution for Smokable Artificial Casings

Among the new products on display at the booth is Ultramid H33 L. According to BASF, this marks the introduction of the world's first thermoplastic polyamide (PA) with high water and smoke permeability.

Traditional PA casings are largely impermeable to smoke and moisture, which is why natural casings made of pure PA have thus far been considered unsuitable for smoked and subsequently dried sausage products. While collagen and cellulose casings solve this problem, they differ in terms of processing and cost. 

Thanks to its high strength, Ultramid H also allows for the production of particularly thin-walled artificial casings. This reduces material usage while also providing greater design flexibility. In addition, Ultramid H can be processed just like conventional polyamides and easily integrated into existing production processes. 

Recycled Plastics for the Automotive Industry

Another focus of the trade show presentation is on engineering plastics for automotive industry. BASF is presenting new Ultradur RC grades (PBT) with a PCR content of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) of up to 30 percent, based on the compound. 

At the same time, the company is showcasing Elastollan RC, a TPU series made from mechanically recycled material that is predominantly post-industrial. According to product information, the recycled content ranges from about 30 to 100 percent, depending on the type and batch. Some of the batches are ISCC-PLUS certified, which is based on a mass balance approach.

Background: For the automotive industry, the use of such recycled compounds is also relevant from a regulatory standpoint. The EU End-of-Life Vehicles Regulation, adopted in the summer of 2026, mandates a minimum percentage of recycled plastics for new vehicles—15 percent starting in 2032, rising to 25 percent starting in 2036, of which at least 20 percent must come from end-of-life vehicles themselves.

New Design Freedoms in Lightweight Construction

For the automotive lightweight construction segment, BASF is also showcasing Ultramid Expand. This is a particulate foam based on a combination of several PA6 grades. It consists of pre-expanded particles with defined particle size and density that can be welded together in an automatic molding machine to form a 3D component

According to the manufacturer, Ultramid Expand is characterized by a variety of unique properties, such as high temperature resistance, outstanding stiffness and strength, and excellent chemical resistance—for example, when in contact with fuels, oils, and lubricants. In addition, the closed-cell foam structure offers exceptional compressive strength, a prerequisite for use in crash-critical and structurally important components.

In addition to material solutions, BASF will be highlighting the digital traceability of CO₂ data along the automotive value chain at Fakuma 2026. This initiative is based on the Catena-X data infrastructure, a cross-manufacturer ecosystem for the standardized exchange of Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) data between raw material manufacturers, compounders, converters, and OEMs. 

Reusable transport box made from PA6

As an example of circular solutions in Logistics (+), BASF is showcasing the BOOXit reusable transport box, manufactured using Ultramid B3K, an unreinforced, free-flowing PA6 injection molding grade. The box is designed to fit the standard dimensions of European pallets (120 × 80 cm), features a modular design, and is intended for use in automated logistics. BASF specifies a service life of over 100 transport cycles and states that the box is fully recyclable.