MARCO Schmidt
Senior Technical Marketing Manager, BASF SE
Marco Schmidt studied polymer chemistry at Reutlingen University and graduated in 1996 with a degree in polymer chemistry. He joined BASF SE the same year as a specialist for GPC and HPLC in Central Research. In 1998, he moved into the marketing division for dispersions, where he was responsible for fiber bonding and new applications as Senior Technical Service Manager for Europe. Since 2017, he has been responsible for the Sealants and Construction Adhesives business unit at BASF SE. He is based in Ludwigshafen and supports customers across Europe. Since 2025, he has also served as the Chair of the Executive Board of the German Sealants Industry Association (Industrieverband Dichtstoffe e.V.).
High-End Waterborne Acrylics – Breaking Performance Boundaries, Sustainably
Waterborne acrylic sealants have traditionally been regarded as low tier technologies with limited performance profiles. Recent advances in polymer design and formulation strategy fundamentally challenge this perception. This contribution presents a newly developed high performance acrylic dispersion that enables mechanical and functional properties previously considered unattainable for waterborne systems.
The new binder technology provides a significant leap in elastic performance, achieving Class 25LM according to EN 15651 1 after only four weeks of standard climate storage (“Conditioning A”), representing the highest possible classification and a new benchmark for waterborne sealants. Comprehensive benchmark studies against commercial silicone and hybrid polymer products show that the new acrylic formulation not only competes with but in several key metrics even surpasses conventional technologies. Particularly noteworthy is its lower volumetric shrinkage, even compared with many silicone based sealants on the market — an exceptional result given the fundamentally different (waterborne) chemistry.
Beyond performance, environmental aspects are increasingly critical in material selection. The new waterborne system achieves a substantially reduced Product Carbon Footprint (PCF), with values as much as four times lower than silicone sealants, positioning it as a compelling option for applications seeking high technical performance combined with significantly lower environmental impact.
The presentation will highlight (1) breakthrough polymer and formulation innovations, (2) mechanical and functional performance data including benchmarks versus silicones and hybrid polymers, and (3) sustainability assessments. These results illustrate how modern waterborne acrylics can redefine established paradigms in the sealants market — delivering required performance, enabling areas of use once considered impossible, and providing measurable sustainability benefits.
Breakout Session XV – Next-Generation Adhesives & Sealants Chemistry – 18 September 2026 – 11:30 – 12:00 – Room Churchill – GF