Personal Care & Hygiene

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Personal Care & Hygiene

Superabsorbent Polymers North America

Superabsorbent polymers, the key that locks in fluid 

Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) are humble in appearance, in the shape of inconspicuous white particles, but their effect is impressive. SAPs like BASF's HySorb®, SAVIVA®, and Luquasorb® brands absorb and retain large quantities of liquid. Even under pressure, the liquid not only continues to be absorbed but also locked up inside these particles.  

Important Links

Hygiene 

Medical

Industrial

Market Segments 

Hygiene 

BASF has developed two innovative product lines that enable customers to create hygiene articles with outstanding performance, and versatile designs. Our HySorb® and SAVIVA® brands provide a diverse range of options specifically designed for manufacturers of Absorbent Hygiene Products (AHP), ensuring they have the flexibility and innovation needed to meet the demands of the market. Does the design of your AHP have a high fluff ratio? Is it fluff-less? Does it have channels? Do you need an SAP with odor control? We’ve got a solution for you. 

C 100 Sudio  HySorb und Saviva  Superabsorber

HySorb®

HySorb® provides high performance superabsorbent solutions for your diaper needs from our global production network  

Different diapers require different absorbent cores, and the materials that these diapers are made from are tailored toward the respective application like baby diapers, adult incontinence products and feminine care products. 

BASF's superabsorbent polymers (SAP) are engineered to have different primary properties: 

  •   Capacity: ensuring the ability to absorb large amounts of fluid 

  •   Absorption against pressure: retaining fluid under load 

  •   Absorption speed: for fast liquid uptake 

  •   Permeability: allowing liquid transfer through a swollen layer of gel 

With the right balance of primary properties, HySorb® superabsorbents help to reduce the risk of leakage by effectively absorbing, distributing and retaining urine in the diaper core, even under pressure. This ensures the skin stays dry and healthy. 

Accordingly, BASF has a variety of SAP offerings tailored to specific hygiene articles to ensure optimal performance: 
From high-fluff to fluff-free diapers, our HySorb® portfolio offers the right solution for all kinds of designs

C 100 Sudio  HySorb und Saviva  Superabsorber

SAVIVA®

SAVIVA® is a unique innovation for superabsorbents based on our pioneering droplet polymerization technology. Its unique round shape provides an exceptionally soft feel. It creates a new standard for today’s diaper performance. Based on its unique round-shaped particles with micro-pores, SAVIVA® has an innovative liquid distribution mechanism providing a highly efficient superabsorbent polymer in diaper cores.
 

Hygiene applications

Incontinence Products

Life expectancy is continuously rising and societies are aging. This results in many challenges and raises many questions such as: How do we ensure that older people enjoy a good quality of life? 

Baby Diapers

They are true high-tech products that, over the years, have become more comfortable, thinner and more absorbent. The main reason lies in the use of innovative superabsorbent polymers.

Period Care Products

Leading an active life without constraints – day after day: Superabsorbents are the secret behind today's trend towards smaller and thinner sanitary napkins, improving wellbeing so one can always feel at their best.

Medical

HySorb® SAPs offer transformative benefits across a wide range of medical applications. These biocompatible materials are commonly used in wound care, where they help balance moisture levels in a healing environment, reduce infection risk, and minimize dressing changes. Their high absorbency and non-toxic nature also make them ideal for solidifying body and analytical fluids - reducing the risk for spread of infection. With their versatility and efficiency, SAPs are revolutionizing modern healthcare by improving patient comfort, and safety.

HySorb®

The versatility and biocompatibility of BASF’s HySorb® brand of SAPs means they can be used as a key component in medical applications such as wound dressing, biological fluid/waste solidification and surgical pads. Use of HySorb® SAPs to manage moisture and biohazards can help mitigate infection, and contamination all while promoting comfort, healing, and safety.

Medical Applications

Wound Dressing

Manage exudate, maintain a moist healing environment, and reduce the risk of infection by limiting bacterial growth.

Biological Fluid/Waste Solidification

Solidify body and analytical fluids at the source, reducing the risk for spread of infection from liquids generated by surgical procedures.

Surgical Pads

Used in surgical pads for effective fluid control and enhanced patient comfort.

Industrial  

At BASF, superabsorbent polymers are engineered to meet the rigorous demands of industrial environments, where fluid management, durability, and environmental compliance are critical. These polymers are utilized in a range of industrial applications including cable water-blocking tapes, spill control products, packaging materials, and specialty filtration systems. Their ability to maintain structural integrity under pressure and across variable pH levels makes them ideal for use in harsh operational settings.

Luquasorb®

Luquasorb® is BASF’s premier brand of superabsorbent polymers (SAP) designed for industrial applications. Known for their ability to absorb and retain large amounts of liquid, Luquasorb® products enhance performance in sectors like sanitation, waste water, cable wraps, construction, spill containment, flood sacks, food packaging, land/sludge remediation and mining. By controlling moisture levels and reducing leakage, these polymers not only improve efficiency but also support sustainability by minimizing waste. With its exceptional absorption capacity, the Luquasorb® line of products enable manufacturers to create innovative solutions that meet the diverse demands of the industrial market.  

Industrial applications

Sanitation

Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) play a vital role inbio-hazardous waste management by safely absorbing and containing large volumes of  hazardous liquids. Their gel-forming ability minimizes leakage and odors, enhancing safe hygiene and reducing contamination risks. By integrating SAPs into waste containers and waste removal processes, healthcare and industrial facilities improve regulatory compliance and streamline disposal, making the process safer and more sustainable.

Wastewater Treatment

With the ability to absorb and retain hundreds of times its weight in liquid, Luquasorb® transforms aqueous waste into a stable, gel-like form—minimizing leakage, odor, and handling risks. Its high absorbency, chemical stability, and non-toxic profile make it ideal for use in municipal treatment plants, industrial facilities, and emergency spill response. By solidifying liquid waste on contact, Luquasorb® simplifies containment and disposal, helping organizations meet environmental regulations while improving safety and operational efficiency. Whether used for sludge stabilization, dewatering, or spill control, Luquasorb® supports cleaner, more sustainable wastewater practices.

Cable Wraps

Luquasorb®, engineered to deliver high-performance liquid management in industrial applications—including cable wraps. Luquasorb® polymers are ideal for protecting underground power lines, optical fiber, and copper wire cables from moisture intrusion. Their hydro-swelling capability ensures rapid expansion upon contact with water, effectively sealing cable interiors and preventing damage from water ingress. Non-toxic and highly efficient, Luquasorb® enhances the durability and reliability of cable systems in harsh environments. Available in multiple grades with varying gel strengths and absorption speeds, Luquasorb® offers tailored solutions to meet specific cable design and performance requirements.

Spill Containment

Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) are transforming spill containment by rapidly absorbing hazardous and non-hazardous liquids, turning them into a solid form that reduces environmental impact. Their quick deployment helps prevent soil and water contamination, while their lightweight, non-toxic nature makes them ideal for industrial and sensitive environments. By integrating SAPs into spill response strategies, organizations can boost compliance, safety, and environmental protection.

Construction Application

These polymers can absorb and retain large amounts of water, which they gradually release during the curing process. This internal curing helps reduce shrinkage and cracking, leading to stronger, more durable concrete. SAPs also enhance the concrete’s resistance to freeze-thaw cycles and improve its overall longevity by minimizing internal stresses. Their ability to regulate moisture makes them especially valuable in high-performance and sustainable construction projects.

Flood Sacks

In flood sacks, Luquasorb® offers a lightweight, compact alternative to traditional sandbags, expanding rapidly upon contact with water to form a durable, gel-like barrier. This makes it ideal for emergency response, municipal flood preparedness, and residential protection. For example, Luquasorb®-filled sacks can be pre-positioned in flood-prone areas or deployed during storms to divert water from building entrances, utility vaults, or roadways. Their ease of storage, minimal labor requirements, and non-toxic composition make them a practical and environmentally responsible choice for both temporary and long-term flood mitigation strategies.

Land/Sludge Remediation

Luquasorb® is designed to address complex liquid management challenges in environmental remediation. In land remediation, Luquasorb® helps immobilize contaminants by absorbing excess moisture and stabilizing polluted soils, reducing the risk of leaching into groundwater. In sludge remediation, it is used to solidify drilling fluids and dewater sludge from industrial or municipal sources, making waste easier and safer to handle and dispose of. Its non-toxic, fast-acting formulation supports compliance with environmental regulations while improving operational efficiency and safety. With proven performance across diverse remediation scenarios, Luquasorb® enables more sustainable and effective site restoration.

Mining

In mining operations, Luquasorb® is used to solidify drilling fluids and stabilize mine tailings, transforming liquid waste into a manageable, non-leaching solid. This enhances safety, simplifies transport, and supports compliance with environmental regulations. For example, in open-pit mining, Luquasorb® can be deployed to treat slurry from dewatering operations, reducing water content and enabling safer containment of residual materials. Its non-toxic, high-efficiency formulation makes it ideal for use in remote or environmentally sensitive areas. By integrating Luquasorb® into remediation and waste handling strategies, mining operators can reduce environmental impact while improving operational efficiency.

Sustainability 

Absorbing Sustainability, Transforming Tomorrow. 

BASF's superabsorbent business is committed to driving sustainability in the hygiene industry. By utilizing renewable energy and a biomass balance approach in our production process, we support our customers' sustainability targets and contribute to a greener future. 

A field with green crop during sunset. In the background, wind turbines are visible against the sunlit sky.

HySorb® B 6610 ZeroPCF

HySorb® B 6610 ZeroPCF is our first polyacrylate based superabsorbent polymer (SAP) marketed with a product carbon footprint (PCF) of zero for the hygiene industry

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Im Werksteil Friesenheimer Insel des BASF-Verbundstandorts Ludwigshafen stehen 50 Tanks, die die Produktionsanlagen mit Einsatzstoffen versorgen. Die Tanks haben zusammen etwa ein Fassungsvermögen von 350 Millionen Litern an Petrochemikalien wie Butan, Benzol und Naphtha. 

The Friesenheim Island section of BASF’s Verbund site in Ludwigshafen is home to 50 tanks that supply the production facilities with feedstocks. The tanks have a combined total capacity of around 350 million liters of petrochemicals such as butane, benzene and naphtha.

HySorb® Biomass Balanced

HySorb® Biomass Balanced is our high-performance superabsorbent polymer based on renewable raw materials with a sustainability certificate.
 

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Auf dem englischen Hof „The Grange" werden moderner Nahrungsmittelanbau und Schutz der Artenvielfalt miteinander kombiniert. Der landwirtschaftliche Betrieb ist Teil des europäischen Farm Network, einer von BASF initiierten Partnerschaft. Landwirte, Agrar- und Naturschutzexperten teilen ihr Wissen und entwickeln Maßnahmen für eine optimale nachhaltige Landwirtschaft, die auch produktiv ist.

Eine Maßnahme ist das Anlegen von Blühstreifen auf unrentablen Feldflächen. Neben ertragreichen Feldern für die Getreideproduktion, entstehen dadurch neue Lebensräume für Flora und Fauna.

Andrew Pitts, Landwirt (links), und Graham Hartwell, Environmental Stewardship, BASF (rechts), prüfen die Entwicklung der Blühstreifen.

Product Carbon Footprint 

BASF's PCF calculation is based on GHG emissions from its own plants and high-quality average data for purchased raw materials as well as purchased energy.
 

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