BASF is taking firm steps to stop the distribution of counterfeit versions of its Irgacure 819 photoinitiator product. After repeatedly issuing notifications, BASF has contacted distributors identified as offering counterfeit Irgacure 819 products for sale and legally insisted that they cease marketing and selling these products. One distributor has already committed to withdrawing this product from the market with immediate effect.

Irgacure 819 is a well-known and widely-used photoinitiator that triggers chemical reactions when exposed to UV light which help speed up the drying process for coatings and adhesives. It is currently protected by several patents covering the synthesis process. These are meant to prevent other companies from using this process to produce Irgacure 819 and certain product formulations including aqueous suspensions and mixtures that contain other photoinitiators.

Following an intensive chemical analysis of the counterfeit products, BASF can prove that they were manufactured using BASF's patented synthesis process. According to BASF, these counterfeit versions are all produced in China and sold globally via distributors.

In 2012, BASF invested €1.75 billion in R&D projects and filed around 1,070 patents worldwide. In order to ensure that its customers continue to benefit from this innovation, BASF is committed to fighting all cases of patent infringement.