ECO BOOM baby diaper series all use SAP from BASF.

What is SAP? 

Super absorbent polymer(SAP) is a new type of functional water absorbing crystals. It is a synthetic polymer material with hydrophilic groups, which can absorb a large amount of water, swell and keep the water from flowing out.

Water-absorbing polymers, which are classified as hydrogels when mixed, absorb aqueous solutions through hydrogen bonding with water molecules. A SAP's ability to absorb water depends on the ionic concentration of the aqueous solution. In deionized and distilled water, a SAP may absorb 300 times its weight(from 30 to 60 times its own volume) and can become up to 99.9% liquid, but when put into a 0.9% saline solution the absorbency drops to approximately 50 times its weight. The presence of valence cations in the solution impedes the polymer's ability to bond with the water molecule.

The SAP's total absorbency and swelling capacity are controlled by the type and degree of cross-linkers used to make the gel. Low-density cross-linked SAPs generally have a higher absorbent capacity and swell to a larger degree. These types of SAPs also have a softer and stickier gel formation. High cross-link density polymers exhibit lower absorbent capacity and swell, but the gel strength is firmer and can maintain particle shape even under modest pressure.

The largest use of SAPs is found in personal disposable hygiene products, such as baby diapers, adult diapers and sanitary napkins. SAP was discontinued from use in tampons due to 1980s concern over a link with toxic shock syndrome. SAP is also used for blocking water penetration in underground power or communications cable, in self-healing concrete, horticultural water retention agents, control of spill and waste aqueous fluid, and artificial snow for motion picture and stage production. 

What is BASF? 

BASF is a German multinational chemical company and the largest chemical producer in the world. The BASF Group comprises subsidiaries and joint ventures in more than 80 countries and operates six integrated production sites and 390 other production sites in Europe, Asia, Australia, the Americas and Africa. Its headquarters is located in Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has customers in over 190 countries and supplies products to a wide variety of industries.

BASF' s super absorbent polymers (SAP) are engineered to have different primary properties:

 - Capacity: ensuring the ability to absorb large amounts of fluid

  - Absorption against pressure: retaining fluid under load

  - Absorption speed: for fast liquid uptake

  - Permeability: allowing liquid transfer through a swollen layer of gel

With the right balance of primary properties, BASF’s super absorbent polymers help to reduce the risk of leakage by effectively absorbing, distributing and retaining urine in the diaper core, even under pressure. This ensures the skin stays dry and healthy. Super absorbent polymers enable modern diapers to be thin, extremely light and very comfortable to wear. In the mid-1980s, before super absorbent polymers were introduced into diapers, much more absorbent fluff pulp was needed to absorb a similar amount of urine. Baby diapers were thicker; at just under 100 grams they weighed around three times as much as they do today and could retain significantly less urine. Without super absorbent polymers, liquid could be squeezed out of the diaper, for example by the baby putting pressure on the absorbent core when sitting down. With a typical SAP amount of around 12 grams, today’s modern baby diapers prevent urine leakage, stay dry for hours and protect the skin from moisture helping to avoid diaper rash.

ECO BOOM with BASF 

Our ECO BOOM bamboo baby diaper, bamboo baby pants and plant-based diaper all use SAP from BASF. Over the years, diapers have become more comfortable, thinner and more absorbent due to the use of super absorbent polymers. With the help of the sustainability, high absorption capacity and high permeability of SAP from BASF, our ECO BOOM diapers can not only keep babies dry for a longer time, but also offer more freedom of movement for babies.