BASF introduces UpCore™, a cost-effective upgrade to ozone-VOC converters for healthier aircraft cabin air
- Seamless upgrade from ozone-only to ozone-VOC technology at lower costs over factory-new replacement
- Airlines benefit from reduced risks of flight delays and a more comfortable flight experience for passengers and crew
- Vendor Service Bulletin forthcoming
April 25, 2022 - BASF launches UpCoreTM, a service providing a cost-effective and sustainable technology upgrade from a standard ozone converter to an ozone-VOC (volatile organic compounds) converter for cleaner and healthier cabin air. UpCore replaces the catalyst core of an ozone-only converter with an ozone-VOC catalyst, a sustainable solution as the original converter’s housing is reused. The dual function technology catalytically removes VOCs from the cabin air while maintaining BASF’s industry leading ozone-removal performance.
The air at high altitude contains significant levels of ozone. 50% of the cabin air enters the aircraft from outside through the engines (“bleed air”) and if left untreated, ozone exposure can cause adverse health effects including headaches, fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pains, coughing, and irritation of eyes, nose or throat.
Odor causing VOCs such as jet fuel smell and odorous organic acids can enter the cabin from exhaust fumes, engine oil and hydraulic leaks, as well as de-icing fluid ingestion. These odors can result in crew and passenger discomfort or even fume events causing aircraft diversions and delays.
“We are excited to offer this excellent technical service to our customers in the aviation industry. With UpCore, we offer our customers a cost-saving, sustainable and highly efficient upgrade to their current technology that increases the passengers’ and crew’s comfort and decreases the risks for airlines to suffer from flight delays,” says Detlef Ruff, Senior Vice President, Process Catalysts at BASF.
Vendor service bulletin forthcoming
A vendor service bulletin for UpCore, fully approved by Airbus for the Airbus A320 series will be issued shortly. The UpCore service does not need Supplemental Type Certificates (STC) or Designated Engineering Representatives (DER), as it is based on the same technology that has been proven for over 15 years. It is fully compliant with OEM standards and resets converter performance to that of a new one while retaining the OEM part number. It also meets leasing companies’ requirements for OEM equipment used on their aircrafts.
BASF will attend the MRO Americas event in Dallas (USA) from April 26-28, 2022, showcasing its more than 15 years of experience as leading supplier of ozone/VOC dual function converters for aircraft OEMs.
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About Metivo
Leveraging its deep expertise as the global leader in catalysis and precious metals, Metivo, part of BASF Group, serves customers in many industries including light and heavy-duty automotive, aerospace, clean air technologies and the hydrogen economy, and provides full loop services with its precious metals trading and recycling offering.
With a focus on circular solutions and sustainability, Metivo helps customers create a cleaner, more sustainable world. Protecting our elements of life is our purpose and this inspires us to ever-new solutions.
Metivo continues to operate under existing BASF Environmental Catalyst and Metal Solutions (ECMS) legal entities. Metivo is a business brand of ECMS.
Metivo operates globally in 14 countries with 4,400 employees and 30 sites.
