BASF Launches Showcase of Innovative Catalyst Technology       

On June 14th, 2009 BASF launched a permanent display of its cost-effective catalyst technologies for the automotive industry at the Scientific Energy Saving Showroom, located in the Shanghai Energy-efficiency Center.
    BASF SCR catalysts allow an optimized engine control management system to realize up to 5% lower fuel consumption. At the same time, NOx emissions are cut by at least 30% (State IV) or 60% (State V). Currently, more than 2 000 such buses are on China streets, soon to be joined by around 800 hybrid buses equipped with BASF's SCR system.
    "We introduced this system to a fleet of diesel buses before the 2008 Olympic Games, making them the first fleet in mainland China to meet the China State IV emission standards." said Dr. Lothar Laupichler, Director of BASF Mobile Emission Catalysts Asia Pacific.
    The SCR catalyst comprises a catalytically active component coated on a ceramic honeycomb. When a reductant, such as AdBlue(R) urea by BASF, is added to the system, the catalyst promotes a chemical reaction that converts NOx into water and nitrogen.