New BASF Lupragen N 208 catalyst enhances PU foam performance while meeting strict VOC standards

BASF adds a modern amine catalyst, Lupragen® N 208, to its portfolio of Lupragen® amine catalysts to produce polyurethanes (PU) foams. It is a low VOC catalyst and this property makes Lupragen N 208 particularly suitable for the manufacture of PU-products for applications in which stringent low VOC standards must be met. Examples range from semi-rigid foams for automotive interiors such as dashboards or armrests to more flexible foams for mattresses and upholstery.
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(IN BRIEF) BASF has introduced Lupragen® N 208, a new reactive amine catalyst for polyurethane foams that fulfills strict low-VOC requirements. Produced at the Ludwigshafen Verbund site and offered worldwide, the catalyst becomes part of the PU foam structure during processing, preventing emissions and odors. The product is suitable for flexible, semi-rigid, and rigid foam applications ranging from mattresses to automotive interior parts. It complements the existing blowing catalyst Lupragen N 205 and strengthens BASF’s position as a leading global supplier of amine catalysts for the polyurethane sector. With the expansion of the Lupragen portfolio, BASF continues to support customers seeking low-emission foam solutions for industrial and consumer-focused applications.

(PRESS RELEASE) LUDWIGSHAFEN, 9-Dec-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — BASF has expanded its Lupragen® amine catalyst range with the introduction of Lupragen® N 208, a next-generation reactive catalyst designed for the production of polyurethane foams where exceptionally low VOC requirements are crucial. Manufactured at BASF’s Ludwigshafen Verbund site in Germany, the new catalyst – chemically known as N,N,N’-trimethyl-N’-hydroxyethyl-bisamino ethylether (HE-TMAEE, CAS 83016-70-0) – will be available globally under the Lupragen brand.

Unlike traditional non-reactive catalysts, Lupragen N 208 becomes chemically bound into the polyurethane matrix during foam formation. Once integrated, it cannot migrate or evaporate, helping minimize emissions of volatile organic compounds that are often responsible for undesirable odors and indoor air concerns. This characteristic makes the catalyst particularly well suited for PU foam applications where regulatory and environmental expectations are steadily increasing. Target uses include flexible foams for mattresses and furniture, semi-rigid and rigid foams used in automotive interiors such as dashboards, seating, or armrests, as well as other consumer comfort products.

Gereon Altenhoff, Product Manager PU Catalysts, Intermediates Europe at BASF, emphasized the strategic importance of the new addition: “Lupragen N 208 is a welcome complement to our established blowing catalyst Lupragen N 205 (BDMAEE). Its introduction aligns with growing market demand for advanced PU catalysts that enable low-VOC formulations.”

BASF continues to position itself as one of the world’s most comprehensive suppliers of amine catalysts for polyurethane production. The company’s Lupragen portfolio covers a wide range of tertiary amines used to control the balance between the gelling and blowing reactions required in foam manufacture. With solutions like Lupragen N 208, BASF supports customers in developing PU systems that combine performance, process efficiency and reduced emissions, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable and modern material technologies.

About BASF 

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. Our ambition: We want to be the preferred chemical company to enable our customers’ green transformation. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Around 112,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio comprises, as core businesses, the segments Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, and Nutrition & Care; our standalone businesses are bundled in the segments Surface Technologies and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €65.3 billion in 2024. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the United States. Further information at www.basf.com.

Media contact:

Kerstin Hoffmann
+49 151 17456842
kerstin.hoffmann@basf.com

SOURCE: BASF SE