Customer Story: Matrix Polymers Australia (MPA) and BASF Advance Global Innovation in Rotational Molding

Matrix Polymers Australia (MPA), BASF Australia and BASF Malaysia launched an innovation project in 2021 to extend the life of Rotomolded Water Tanks. The project initially used BASF’s advanced Irgastab® IS 2515 P product to successfully develop a water tank with UV stability for over 15 years.
Previously, MPA used BASF’s Irgastab® IS 2515 P to produce these rotomoulded tanks. However, as legislation and market compliance regulations continued to change, MPA saw an opportunity to improve the performance of its products and switched to Irgastab® IS 2520 P in April 2024. The switch provides longer lasting UV protection with outdoor durability of up to 20 years in Australia and New Zealand and performance levels of UV20 and above.
Irgastab® IS 2520 P is a revolutionary UV stabilization system specifically designed for polyethylene resins for Rotational Molding. It not only extends the life of the final product, but also increases productivity in the molding process. By accelerating polymer densification, it also reduces energy consumption due to lower temperatures and shorter cycle times, making the production process more efficient and sustainable.
Dr Lei Wang, Technical Manager at Matrix Polymers, said: “Evolving legal and market compliance regulations provide us with the opportunity to not only meet new standards but also provide our customers with higher quality products. By switching to Irgastab® IS 2520 P, we can achieve superior UV protection and contribute to more sustainable production processes.”
MPA is expanding its presence in the Asia Pacific region with the support of its polymer suppliers in Thailand. In Asia, the growing demand for rotomolded tanks, driven by the renewable energy industry and its need for battery electrolyte storage, represents a major opportunity for MPA and BASF to expand market share by becoming market leaders with advanced solutions and a commitment to sustainability and performance. MPA plans to begin production in the region in the second half of this year.
This collaboration between MPA, BASF Australia, BASF Malaysia and our polymer suppliers demonstrates our commitment to delivering high-performance solutions to the global rotational molding industry. Together, we will drive innovation and expand market opportunities across geographies to meet the changing needs of industries around the world.