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BASF Opens State-of-the Art Production Facility for Fuel Cell Components in Somerset, New Jersey

Posted on: Wednesday, 6 May 2009, 09:04 CDT

Fuel cell technology enables the efficient and alternative energy supply for numerous consumer products and applications

FLORHAM PARK, N.J., May 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Furthering its leadership position in the development of energy management solutions, BASF today announced it has officially opened its BASF Fuel Cell production facility in Somerset, New Jersey. The modern facility uses advanced production and automation technologies to fabricate ready-for-use high-temperature Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) units -- the heart of the fuel cell. In a MEA, hydrogen and air react to water generating electrical power and heat. The proprietary and innovative BASF products are marketed under the brand name Celtec(R) and will enable the fuel cell industry to meet the current and growing challenges of future energy supply.

BASF's tradition of materials innovation and commitment to sustainable development continues with this advancement from BASF Fuel Cell. The novel MEA developed by BASF is opening new horizons for system builders as it contains the world's first commercially available high temperature membrane for fuel cells that allows operating temperatures in the range of 320 to 360 F (120-180 degrees C). This innovation, with the unique ability to run without any humidification, has therefore a considerable advantage over other Polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell technologies, including a far simpler system and tolerance to impurities in hydrogen and air.

Celtec(R) high-temperature MEAs are used in numerous product applications, e.g. private home electricity and heat supply units providing electricity and hot water at unprecedented efficiencies or backup-systems to ensure electrical power.

"BASF has made a decisive breakthrough in fuel cells with the development of the high-temperature MEA," said Dr. Andreas Kreimeyer, Research Executive Director and Member of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF, at the inaugural event. "The aim of the world-class Somerset, New Jersey facility is to meet the current and greatly increasing demand from customers. Future enhancements and refinements of BASF's proprietary MEA product in conjunction with system developments by our alternative energy partners will make fuel cell energy realistic, affordable and widely available."

The most immediate challenge facing developers is to develop a highly reliable and cost effective fuel cell system for practical applications. The key factor in achieving this is for the system to have as few components as possible. Conventional low temperature fuel cell systems, which operate at a maximum of 175 F (80 degrees C) need a large number of ancillary units, a complex control and hydration system as well as a reformer with a hydrogen gas purification unit to function. Fuel cells equipped with BASF's high-temperature Celtec(R) MEA are tolerant to impurities in the hydrogen gas; they can be cooled by the air and do not have to be hydrated with water. This eliminates the need for air humidifiers, water pumps, tanks, valves and cleaning systems.

"Thanks to the proprietary Celtec(R) MEA from BASF, fuel cell systems now need substantially fewer components and this translates into cost savings for our customers," said Dr. Horst-Tore Land, CEO, BASF Fuel Cell Inc. "The development of the high-temperature MEA enables our customers to manufacture commercially viable fuel cell products."

About BASF Fuel Cell GmbH

BASF Fuel Cell GmbH is a supplier of materials for fuel cells and reformers. The company is a leading supplier for high temperature membrane electrode assemblies, developed and commercialized in the Celtec(R) product line. Additionally, a broad variety of catalysts for fuel cells and reformers is covered by the product line Selectra(R). BASF Fuel Cell continues the fuel cell activities of BASF, Engelhard and PEMEAS. For further information go to www.basf-fuelcell.com

BASF - The Chemical Company. We don't make a lot of the products you buy. We make a lot of the products you buy better.(R)

BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has more than 15,000 employees in North America, and had sales of approximately $17.5 billion in 2008. For more information about BASF's North American operations, or to sign up to receive news releases by e-mail, visit www.basf.com/usa.

BASF is the world's leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics and performance products to agricultural products, fine chemicals, as well as oil and gas. As a reliable partner, BASF helps its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges, such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF has approximately 97,000 employees and posted sales of more than euro 62 billion in 2008. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.

SOURCE BASF Corporation

Source: PR Newswire

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