- Outdoor jacket by Niber Technologies made with newly developed Freeflex®E 130 TPU based electrospun nano membrane
- Upcoming Bluesign®certification in tandem with evolving regulatory and sustainability requirements of the global apparel and textile industries
- BASF will also showcase melt spun innovation based on Freeflex® TPU at CHINAPLAS 2026
- BASF at CHINAPLAS 2025: Booth 7.2C41, National Exhibition & Convention Center, Shanghai, China
Shanghai, China – March 11, 2026 – At CHINAPLAS 2026, BASF will showcase an outdoor jacket produced in collaboration with Niber Technologies, Pte. Ltd. (Niber Technologies), a leading electrospinning specialist. The jacket incorporates the newly developed Freeflex®E 130, a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) based electrospun nano membrane.
“Through our collaboration with BASF, we were able to develop an ultralight and soft-touch comfort outdoor jacket offering excellent membrane uniformity with high Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate (MVTR) and increased membrane application possibilities enabled by higher lamination temperature resistance. Made without the intentional use of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), the TPU-based membrane is a sustainable alternative to traditional ePTFE (Expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene),” said Jaehyung Park, CEO, Niber Technologies.
The outstanding performance characteristics were made possible by Freeflex’s ability to form 0.5 μm ultrafine fibers through electrospinning, creating a highly porous yet protective membrane layer.
Alongside its electrospun innovations, BASF will also showcase PP (Polypropylene)/PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) sports apparel containing 15% Freeflex melt spun TPU fibers, delivering excellent wearing comfort, quick drying performance, as well as enhanced elasticity and durability for activewear. Freeflex melt spun fibers are REACH compliant and certified with the Oeko Tex® Eco Passport, meeting stringent safety and chemical transparency standards for textile applications.
The electrospun nanomembrane capability and melt spun fiber versatility of Freeflex empower producers to design and develop the next generation of performance apparel. Additionally, Freeflex is advancing through Bluesign® certification and is set to be ready by 2026, meeting the growing regulatory and sustainability requirements of the global apparel and textile industries.
“With the addition of Bluesign® certification across Freeflex portfolio, BASF aims to drive sustainable transformation together with customers in apparel and textiles industries seeking high performance, compliant and environmentally conscious material solutions,” said Rohit Roop Ghosh, Vice President, Business Management TPU, Performance Materials Asia Pacific, BASF. “The initiative reinforces BASF’s commitment to cleaner materials, responsible production, and performance-driven textile innovation.”
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 108,000 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 around €60 billion in 2025. 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.
About BASF’s Performance Materials division
BASF’s Performance Materials division drives the transformation of the plastics industry by uniting sustainability with high performance. Our materials expertise, deep industry know-how, and broad product portfolio make us the preferred partner for comprehensive solutions across the plastics lifecycle. With dedicated material-focused teams, strong R&D power, and a global production network close to our customers, we deliver tailored offerings that meet regional and industry-specific needs. Our products enhance performance and efficiency in key sectors such as automotive, construction, consumer goods, and industrial applications. Together with our partners, we embark on #OurPlasticsJourney towards a more circular and sustainable future. In 2025, the Performance Materials division achieved global sales of €6.4 billion.
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Further information at https://www.performance-materials.basf.com.
