- High-gloss, color-stable, and durable flooring coatings 

- Low-emission products with up to 90% less VOCs compared to conventional hardeners 

- Curing at low temperatures for enhanced outdoor flexibility 

BASF and Sika have jointly developed a new amine-based curing agent for epoxy resins, now commercially available under BASF’s Baxxodur® EC 151 brand. This innovative solution is particularly well-suited for flooring applications in production plants, storage and assembly halls, and parking decks. 

Baxxodur EC 151 provides epoxy flooring solutions with low viscosity and optimal flow properties, ensuring easy application and even distribution. Compared to conventional hardeners, it significantly reduces the need for thinners and lowers volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions by up to 90%, enabling ultra-low VOC formulations. Additionally, it allows for higher mineral filler content, which not only reduces costs but also enhances sustainability. 

Epoxy coatings formulated with Baxxodur EC 151 cure quickly and thoroughly across a broad temperature range. This feature extends their usability during colder seasons, particularly at temperatures between 5 and 10 degrees Celsius, where conventional hardeners tend to “freeze.” Compared to traditional hardeners, the curing time is reduced by up to two-thirds, allowing the flooring to be walked on shortly after application. 

The cured epoxy coatings exhibit a high-gloss and aesthetically pleasing surface, eliminating the hazing effect ("blushing") that often occurs with conventional hardeners, particularly around edges. These coatings offer excellent color stability and resistance to mechanical and chemical impacts, making them highly durable while significantly reducing maintenance costs. 

As part of this research collaboration, Sika developed the new amine-based curing agent as a high-performance hardener for more efficient and sustainable epoxy products and successfully applied it in Sikafloor® floor coatings. Meanwhile, BASF developed a suitable manufacturing process and scaled it from laboratory to commercial production. 

“The development of Baxxodur EC 151 further demonstrates our commitment to supporting customers in their green transformation,” said Vasilios Galanos, Senior Vice President, Intermediates Europe, BASF. “Through our collaboration with Sika, we leverage our extensive chemistry expertise to implement sustainable solutions via scalable and cost-efficient processes.” 

“Baxxodur EC 151 makes a significant contribution to resource-efficient solutions in the construction industry,” said Urs Burckhardt, Head of Research at Sika. “The close cooperation between Sika and BASF was essential in developing this innovative solution, enabling our customers to better achieve their efficiency and sustainability goals.” 

BASF’s Baxxodur® portfolio is widely used as highly efficient curing agents in epoxy and polyurea applications for the wind power, electrical, composites, adhesives, and flooring industries. With its outstanding performance characteristics, Baxxodur EC 151 ideally complements the existing product range, offering enhanced sustainability and efficiency. 

Baxxodur® is a registered trademark of BASF SE.

Source：BASF