May 18 2006
BASF launched “PlasticsPlus™ design”, a new service package for product and industrial designers. The core of this exclusive new service in the Styrenics Operating Division’s PlasticsPlus range, is “designfabrik™”, the design factory. The former plastics color laboratory has been transformed into a stately place where designers can obtain advice about the design and coloring of their plastic products. The keynote speaker at the opening of the design factory was Dieter Rams, former chief designer of the Braun company, whose understated visual language left its imprint on industrial design.
Faster conversion of designer ideas into actual products
“To an ever greater extent, design is becoming an integral part of the corporate policies of our customers. Our package is aimed at helping our customers to convert their ideas more quickly into actual products,” explains Dr. Christian Bonten, head of the design factory. BASF specialists use PlasticsPlus design to assist in the choice of the right color, using a color library containing approximately 20,000 samples in various colors. They advise on the selection of the optimal production process, on the design that is appropriate for plastics, and on the pre-selection of a suitable material.
One million color impressions
A color competence center is integrated into the design factory. Up to 50 different surface textures can be produced here. Surface characteristics play a crucial role in the color effect. For instance, a color on a glossy surface looks different from the same color on a matt or corrugated surface. “With 20,000 samples and 50 different surfaces, we can create up to one million color impressions,” explains Norbert Mosbach, head of the color competence center. We also have light booths that show how color tones appear under all kinds of light. Together with the customers, it takes BASF color experts just one working day to create samples showing the colors requested by the customers.
“BASF needs to intensify the activities of its design factory. This is where young designers in particular can acquire knowledge that they cannot get anywhere else,” says Prof. Dr. Dieter Rams, commenting on BASF’s new service. The service package also includes the issuing of color certificates as well as the guarantee of uniform color standards worldwide. This is a service for which BASF already received the Gillette Omnimark Award back in 2004.
Further cooperation with industrial designers
The collaboration between BASF plastic specialists and industrial designers, however, goes well beyond the design factory. For example, workshops are held in early summer, where industrial designers get together with BASF experts and work out new areas of application for engineering plastics.
PlasticsPlus™
BASF has bundled a range of specialty plastics products under the umbrella of PlasticsPlus™, including high-performance styrene plastics, biodegradable materials and foams. Whenever exacting requirements have to be met, the experts and products of PlasticsPlus™ offer a high level of diversity, reliability, innovative solutions and partnership.