Sustainability to the next level: TE Connectivity and BASF expand their partnership

BASF and TE Connectivity (TE), a global leader for its part in connectivity and sensor solutions, have jointly set themselves ambitious goals in the sustainability sector. For example, BASF's objective is to attain net zero emissions by 2050, while TE Connectivity is committed to the goals of the SBTi (Science Based Targets initiative) and aims to reduce its Scope 3 emissions by 30% by 2032.

These goals require smooth cooperation along the entire supply chain as a holistically sustainable value chain. TE and BASF have been working together for many years and attach great importance to sustainability. The following approaches will deepen this cooperation.

"Zero Waste" strategy

TE Connectivity's stated goal is to eliminate waste generated in production. In the injection molding process, the resulting sprues pose a special challenge. BASF and TE Connectivity are pursuing various approaches to reduce this. Up to now, sprues have often been collected and recycled. This generates additional cost and emissions for single-variety collection, storage, transport and, in particular, quality assurance. Instead of this method, TE is pursuing the path of closed-loop regrind recycling supported by BASF, which the sprues are fed directly back into production and thus eliminate costly transport. The general goal is to continue increasing the proportion of regrind in production so as to recycle as many materials as possible. This procedure is an established one and is already covered by such standards as UL 746 D. Given proper pre-drying and processing, up to 25% regranulate content is considered readily feasible for both flame-retardant and non-flame-retardant products.

To establish a solid database on regrind material, to boost confidence in it, and to improve customer acceptance, TE Connectivity and BASF have conducted various joint test programs on test specimens with different regrind percentages. Good results can also be demonstrated with more than 25% regrind content if mechanical and electrical properties are considered as well as fire behavior. The general 25% as defined by UL has thus been exceeded in some instances. In this case, as is already customary with many BASF products, the results are shown on the UL Yellow Card for general transparency and enable customers to minimize their production waste by using the BASF product portfolio. As a result, TE Connectivity has already been able to significantly increase the proportion of regrind.

Transparency through the Product Carbon Footprint

In addition to reducing production waste, another challenge is to quantify greenhouse gas emissions. One way to express released emissions is with the so-called Product Carbon Footprint (PCF). The PCF describes the carbon emissions released throughout the value chain. So as to demonstrate valid reductions here, reliable and comparable documentation of the status quo is essential: Emission reduction begins with transparency. To this end, BASF has developed the Strategic CO2 Transparency Tool (SCOTT for short) for the automated determination of the PCF – from the development of raw materials (including emissions from upstream plants) to the finished BASF product that leaves the factory gate ("cradle-to-gate"). For BASF customers such as TE Connectivity, a PCF value is shown per kg of end product – this will also make it possible to calculate the customer's own PCF at a later date. TE Connectivity and BASF have established the systematic and continuous exchange of PCF values within the supply chain. On top of this, BASF is actively involved in standardization in the chemical industry and is committed to the Together for Sustainability Initiative (TfS). In the next annual update, BASF customers will receive PCF values calculated using the TfS methodology in order to improve the comparability of values.

Supporting TE Connectivity's Scope 3 ambitions

BASF's own requirement is to reduce the PCF of BASF plastic granules. To this end, the company is pursuing several approaches.

Energy optimization is achieved, among other things, through the electrification of processes and the use of electricity from renewable resources. BASF is investing in wind and solar energy, for example. This way, fossil resources and carbon emissions can be saved. Not only the energy supply, but also the starting materials of the plastic compounds (Scope 3) have a significant impact on the PCF. BASF offers its customers/partners a broad portfolio of resource-saving products: The substitution of fossil feedstock with, first, renewable raw materials (BMB – Biomass Balance) and, second, recycling-based raw materials such as pyrolysis oil (using the ChemCycling process) takes place at the very beginning of the value chain. The alternative raw materials are assigned to the customer's product using the certified mass balance approach. The effectiveness of this method speaks for itself: By using renewable raw materials, up to 60% PCF reduction is possible, depending on the product. TE Connectivity's engineering and purchasing departments are working closely with BASF to design their connectors with sustainable materials. Together with TE Connectivity, a pilot project has been launched in which a significant PCF reduction is to be achieved through the systematic substitution of fossil-based compounds and the establishment of BMB materials.

Support for TE Connectivity's Scope 1 ambitions

The Ultramid® (PA) and Ultradur® (PBT) thermoplastic polymers are an important part of BASF's plastics portfolio. These materials are supplied to the customer in granular form. Energy is required for pre-drying as well as for melting the material. Furthermore, units for cooling and other drives must be used in the injection molding process. So far, the energy efficiency of the process has mainly depended on the type of polymer used and the functionality and efficiency of the injection molding machines. Materials manufacturers usually have little influence in this area.

Now TE Connectivity and BASF have initiated the development of new materials in order to help to save energy as a materials manufacturer. Thanks to the combination of several advantageous properties, the newly developed High Productivity Plus (HPP) products enable injection molding production at a reduced melt temperature and with significantly shorter cycle times. In extensive studies the materials have shown significant savings potential and will be used in future product series at TE Connectivity.

Brief explanations

Scope 1 records direct carbon emissions. These come from sources at BASF sites. These include, for example, the company's own production facilities and plants for electricity and steam generation.

Scope 2 refers to the indirect carbon emissions generated by suppliers in the generation of energy purchased for production.

Scope 3 includes all other carbon emissions caused along the value chain (e.g. at suppliers, during product usage, disposal or transport).

For more detailed information please get in contact with

Franz Janson, Senior Principal Engineering, Global Platform Engineering, TE Connectivity

Christian Händel, Application Engineer - Technical Development Engineering Plastics, BASF SE