Intermediates

Expand your success

on elastomers:
PolyTHF
 BASF – BASF’s PolyTHF
We create chemistry

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. Our portfolio ranges BASF’s PolyTHF® is an important
intermediate in manufacturing thermo-
from chemicals and materials to industrial solutions, surface technologies, plastic polyurethane elastomers. These
nutrition & care and agricultural solutions. We combine economic success, products are used for the manufacturing
of highly abrasion-resistant and flexible
social responsibility and environmental protection. Through science and hoses, films and cable sheatings. Other
innovation we enable our customers in almost all industries to meet the applications include thermoplastic
polyetheresters, polyetheramide and
current and future needs of society. Our products and system solutions cast polyurethane elastomers, proven
contribute to conserving resources, ensuring healthy food and nutrition and for example in their use for skateboard
and inline skates wheels.
helping to improve the quality of life.

Top intermediates supplier

The BASF Group’s Intermediates division develops, produces
and markets a comprehensive portfolio of more than 600
intermediates around the world. The most important of the BASF’s PolyTHF laboratory in
division’s product groups include amines, diols, polyalcohols, Shanghai is the first of its kind
acids and specialties. Among other applications, intermedi- in the Asia Pacific region.
ates are used as starting materials for coatings, plastics,
pharmaceuticals, textile fibers, detergents and crop protectants.
Innovative intermediates from BASF help to improve the
properties of final products and the efficiency of production
processes. The ISO 9001-certified Intermediates division
operates plants at production sites in Europe, Asia and
North America.

PolyTHF is used as a building block

for special coatings formulations
(photo) and many more.

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 What is PolyTHF? PolyTHF: a highly versatile
building block

PolyTHF is especially beneficial when used as a building

PolyTHF is a hygroscopic polymer made
block for soft segment elastomers such as polyurethanes,
up of linear diols with a backbone of
co-polyetheresters and co-polyetheramides. Its hydroxyl
repeating tetramethylene units which are
groups react with other functional groups such as organic
connected by ether linkages. The chains
acids or isocyanates. The most significant reactions are
are capped with primary hydroxyl units
polyaddition, and polycondensation reactions.
and are produced by polymerizing
tetrahydrofuran. It is a white solid that Thermoplastic elastomers made with PolyTHF can be
melts into a clear, colourless liquid when processed into finished articles via injection-moulding or
heated to between –15 and 30 °C extrusion and fiber spinning.
depending on its molecular weight.

Formula: HO[(CH2)4O]nHCAS
Registry Number: 25190-06-1
The PolyTHF plant at the Chinese site Caojing
near Shanghai where BASF has been producing
top-quality PolyTHF since 2004. Besides, BASF
is producing PolyTHF at four other plants in
USA, Germany and Korea.

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 Wide range of applications
for PolyTHF

Coatings Automotive
When used to formulate coating materials, PolyTHF improves PolyTHF is an important building block for the production
surface finishing, water-resistance, as well as microbe and of thermoplastic polyurethane and polyetherester elastomers
abrasion resistance. As a result, it is ideal for use in water- (TPU, TPEE). Parts made from these elastomers can be
borne or radiation-curable coatings for wooden or plastic used in seals and gaskets, covers, hoses, air bag covers,
surfaces. PolyTHF-based coatings can also be used to transmission boots, and constant velocity joints.
produce waterproof, yet breathable fabrics and textiles.
Industrial applications
Adhesives and sealants PolyTHF can also be used in many heavy-duty performance
PolyTHF containing polyurethane (PU) adhesives are suited industrial applications. Specific examples included gears,
for a wide range of properties and operating temperatures. printer rolls, belts, wheels, tires for fork lift trucks, escalator
The versatile choices on offer include simple one-component wheels, hopper car liners, conveyor belts, grain chute liners,
adhesives, two component reaction adhesives, solvent-based pipe linings, pads for rail tracks, marine hoses,
adhesives, or hot melt adhesives for construction, footwear mining screens, and animal tags.
or automotive applications as well as in packaging, lamination
and binders.
Leisure and sports
In the wide area of leisure and sport’s products, PolyTHF-
Textiles based plastics are preferred for their wide range of hardness,
High-quality PolyTHF is the main raw material in the high E-modulus and high-level impact resistance at low
production of highly elastic spandex fibers found in many temperature. Uses include rollerskate wheels, ski boots,
textiles. While lightweight, such fibers are long-lasting, bicycle tires, and athletic shoes.
smooth to the touch and can easily be dyed. They also resist
humidity and microbes across a wide temperature range.

Artificial leather
In micropore technology, artifical leather made by PolyTHF
as raw material can be used in the manufacture of shoes,
luggage and upholstered chairs and sofas.

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 Benefits of using
BASF’s PolyTHF

BASF is dedicated to offering products that make customers

more successful by providing:

A global network close to customers Customized technical support PolyTHF’s advantages

BASF produces PolyTHF at a worldwide production network To further enhance the comprehensive technical support as soft segment for elastomers:
spanning Asia, the NAFTA region and Europe. With plants it offers PolyTHF customers, BASF has established a
 g
 ood mechanical properties and excellent resiliency
in Ludwigshafen (Germany), Geismar (USA), Ulsan (Korea), PolyTHF applications laboratory in Shanghai, China – the
over a wide range of temperatures
Caojing and Korla (China). Leveraging its global production first facility of its kind in Asia. BASF‘s PolyTHF laboratory
network and highly reliable production process, BASF offers in Shanghai offers:  low temperature flexibility
consistently high-quality and supply security.
 state-of-the-art polymer analytics  superior hydrolytic stability
 lab-scale synthesis of small volume samples in order  superior resistance against microbes and fungus attack
Reliable and efficient technologies to optimize the characteristics of spandex/elastane,
 high abrasion resistance
BASF’s PolyTHF is produced in a continuous process. As a thermoplastic polyurethane and cast polyurethane Over 30 years of top-level PolyTHF
result, BASF is a leader in product consistency and purity, elastomer polymers  non-allergenic production: the PolyTHF facility at
fulfilling today’s high quality demands. BASF’s integrated “Verbund” site
 d
 evelopment of new PolyTHF-based formulations and  superior dynamic properties (minimum heat build-up)
Ludwigshafen, Germany. Besides, BASF
improvement of existing ones
 high reactivity (bi-functional primary alcohol) is producing PolyTHF at four other
Complete product range for  analysis of samples and specimens plants in USA, China and Korea.
 high tear strength
polyurethanes  laboratory support for starting up customer plants
 P
 olyTHF itself and its prepolymers have comparatively
BASF supplies both PolyTHF and all other basic raw materials
low viscosities, leading to easier processing and handling
for spandex and the polyurethane industry. Available products
range from diols, triols, polyalcohols, amines, various chain Proven global expertise  prepolymers based on PolyTHF have long shelf lives
extenders, and specialty acids to isocyanates, solvents
 experienced polymer physics and analytics department
and additives.
 elastomer experience
 d
 esign and optimization of solvent recycling facilities by
BASF’s process engineering team
 p
 roduct stewardship/environmental support in the
areas of eco-labeling, safe product handling, toxicology
and REACH

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 Selection of PolyTHF grades Contact us

In the PolyTHF laboratory of BASF in

Shanghai, BASF employees make customer
wishes a reality, fast and efficiently.

Product PolyTHF PolyTHF PolyTHF PolyTHF PolyTHF PolyTHF Get in touch: Visit our website at:
250 650 1000 1400 1800 2000 www.intermediates.basf.com/contact www.intermediates.basf.com

Molecular (g/mol) 225 – 275 625 – 675 975 – 1025 1350 – 1450 1750 – 1850 1950 – 2050

Hydroxyl number (mgK0H/g) 408.0 – 498.7 166.2 – 179.5 109.5 – 115.1 77.4 – 83.1 60.6 – 64.1 54.7 – 57.5

Acid number (mgK0H/g) max. 0.05 max. 0.05 max. 0.05 max. 0.05 max. 0.05 max. 0.05

Color (APHA) max. 40 max. 40 max. 40 max. 40 max. 40 max. 40

Water (ppm) max. 150 max. 150 max. 150 max. 150 max. 150 max. 150

BHT (ppm) 200 – 350 200 – 350 200 – 350 200 – 350 200 – 350 200 – 350

Typical physical properties

Density 40 °C (g/cm3) 0.988 0.975 0.975 0.975 0.975 0.975

PolyTHF is an important component of elastic
spandex fibers for textiles such as swimsuits.
Density 60 °C (g/cm3) 0.975 0.964 0.962 0.961 0.960 0.960

Softening point Tm (°C) –15 18 24 25 27 30

Glass transition point Tg (°C) –98 –81 –77 –77 –77 –77

Flash Point (°C) 180 215 240 242 244 246

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PolyTHF inside –
our customers’ benefits:

 global network close to customers

 reliable and efficient technologies
 complete range for polyurethanes
 customized technical support
 proven global expertise

The data contained in this publication is based on our current knowledge and experience.
In view of the many factors that may affect processing and application of our product,
the data does not relieve processors from carrying out their own investigations and tests;
neither does the data imply any guarantee of certain properties, nor the suitability of the
product for a specific purpose. Any descriptions, drawings, photographs, data, proportions,
weights etc. given herein may change without prior information and do not constitute
the agreed contractual quality of the product. It is the responsibility of the recipient of
our products to ensure that any proprietary rights and existing laws and legislation are
observed. The safety data given in this publication is for information purposes only and
does not constitute a legally binding Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). The relevant
MSDS can be obtained upon request from your supplier or you may contact BASF directly
via the contact form at: www.intermediates.basf.com/contact. 2023 edition

PolyTHF® is a registered trademark of BASF SE.

CI 2302-06/23