BASF Expands Ultradur® Food Contact Grades Ahead of EU BPA Ban
BASF Strategically Expands Ultradur® Portfolio for Food Contact and Drinking Water Applications
BASF is strengthening its Ultradur® portfolio for food contact and drinking water applications with a long-term strategy focused on regulatory compliance, transparency, and product continuity.
The company is introducing two clearly differentiated product lines for glass-fiber-reinforced Ultradur® materials:
- Ultradur® Aqua grades for drinking water applications
- Ultradur® FC grades for food contact applications
This separation is designed to help manufacturers, OEMs, and processors select compliant engineering plastics more confidently while preparing for upcoming European regulations.
BASF Responds to New EU BPA Regulations
The portfolio update follows Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/3190, published in December 2024. The regulation bans the use of bisphenol A (BPA) and other hazardous bisphenols in plastics, coatings, and varnishes intended for food contact applications after July 20, 2026.
BASF has proactively adapted its Ultradur® food contact portfolio to ensure customers can continue using compliant materials without disrupting existing operations or future product development.
The company says the new structure provides clearer guidance for material selection while supporting long-term regulatory compliance.
New BPA-Free Ultradur® FC Grades
BASF has developed several BPA-free Ultradur® FC grades that already carry valid food contact certifications.
Available grades include:
- Ultradur® B4300G6 FC UN
- Ultradur® B4300G6 FC BK15136
- Ultradur® B4300G4 FC R03 UN
- Ultradur® B4300G4 FC BK15136
These glass-fiber-reinforced materials are designed for a wide range of food industry applications, including:
- Coffee machine components
- Cookware parts
- Industrial food processing systems
- Conveyor systems
- Egg handling and food transport equipment
According to BASF, the updated FC portfolio allows customers to maintain existing applications while also supporting future product innovation under the new regulatory framework.
Ultradur® Aqua Grades Remain Available
BASF confirmed that its established Ultradur® Aqua grades for drinking water applications will remain available with unchanged formulations.
The company will continue marketing these materials under their existing product names to preserve current drinking water certifications at the customer level.
While Aqua grades and food contact grades may share similar naming structures, BASF clarified that glass-fiber-reinforced Aqua grades will no longer include food contact certifications moving forward.
This distinction is intended to improve transparency and simplify material selection for manufacturers operating in regulated industries.
Improved Material Selection for OEMs and Processors
By separating drinking water and food contact solutions into dedicated product families, BASF aims to provide greater planning certainty for:
- OEMs
- Plastic processors
- Brand owners
- Food equipment manufacturers
Customers can more easily identify which Ultradur® grades are approved for drinking water systems and which are certified for food contact applications.
The strategy also helps businesses prepare early for future compliance requirements across European markets.
About BASF
BASF is one of the world’s largest chemical companies, employing around 108,000 people globally. The company operates across sectors including chemicals, materials, industrial solutions, nutrition, surface technologies, and agricultural solutions.
In 2025, BASF reported sales of approximately €60 billion.
About BASF Performance Materials
BASF’s Performance Materials division focuses on high-performance and sustainable plastics solutions for industries including automotive, construction, consumer goods, and industrial manufacturing.
The division combines materials expertise, research and development capabilities, and a global manufacturing network to support customers throughout the plastics lifecycle.
In 2025, BASF’s Performance Materials division generated global sales of €6.4 billion.
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