BASF has showcased a parts of its range of polyurethane seating and coating materials in a revamped BMW Isetta 250, BASF said in a statement.
The company says its Elastoflex W polyurethane foam is used for the seating and that this enabled the seats to be made lighter, than with other polyurethanes. BASF said that the seats will offer "an especially high level of comfort and outstanding long-term use properties, especially for height- and weight-reduced foams." High levels of flowabilty mean that the material can be used with metal or wooden armatures, said BASF.
BASF said its Steron polyurethane dispersions are used in the car to upholster the seats and give a soft-touch finish to interior surfaces.
BASF said it made the embossed surface by laser engraving a silicone matrix with the desired surface finish. The matrix is then coated in Steron which takes the embossed finish. This is applied to the car, said BASF.
The company adds that this approach enables embossed soft-touch surfaces to be produced more cost effectively and with a greater range of finishes than conventional processes. Steron has also been used in the smart forvision, a concept car made by Daimler, said BASF.
Steron is also used in clothing designed to complement the car. A coat has been designed by Julia Starp from Hamburg in Steron-coated fabric to match the interior; shoes by fashion-school Ars Arpel, Milan were also designed and produced, said BASF.