BASF’s McIntosh Site Receives Environmental Stewardship Award

Partners for Environmental Progress (PEP) has awarded the BASF facility in McIntosh, Alabama a 2023 Environmental Stewardship Award for the site’s production of light stabilizers and work to enhance the durability of plastics and coatings for automotive and construction materials applications.

“We are honored to receive a PEP Environmental Stewardship Award,” said Marcus Pezent, Site Director for BASF in McIntosh. “At the BASF site in McIntosh, we commit to being responsible stewards daily for our organization, employees, and the community by ensuring environmental safety.”

Through a partnership with Noria Energy, the BASF team installed a first-of-its-kind floating solar system at its manufacturing site in McIntosh. This innovative proof-of-concept floating solar system powers three aerators that are used to improve water quality in a pond within the production facility. Floating solar energy capture offers several advantages beyond those of land-based solar systems including better operating efficiency due to cooler, more consistent temperatures from the surrounding water.

BASF’s plastic additives business is collaborating with Noria Energy to develop a highly reliable, innovative pontoon design at a lower cost. This innovative design leverages BASF’s UV absorbers, antioxidants, and light stabilizers produced at the McIntosh, Alabama site to improve durability and extend the lifetime of the systems.

This small pilot test has reduced CO2 emissions by approximately 2 metric tons annually and has the capacity to produce approximately 5.3 MWh.

Climate protection is a key pillar of BASF’s sustainability efforts: the company aims to achieve net zero CO2 emissions by 2050 and reduce its absolute CO2 emissions by 25 percent by 2030. To support these goals, the BASF team is continuously identifying projects to improve processes and minimize waste.

PEP presented the award to BASF during its annual meeting, highlighting BASF’s significant environmental contribution through economic growth, environmental, health and social responsibility. PEP is a coalition of business and education leaders who share the vision of applying science-based environmental best practices to business and community issues. Founded in 2000, the organization promotes business growth while preserving and enhancing the environment and quality of life along the Gulf Coast.