BASF SE BASFY is expanding Neopor production capacity by 50,000 metric tons per year at its Ludwigshafen facility to bolster the styrene value chain. The expansion is intended to satisfy the growing demand for grey insulation material. The new production facilities are slated to begin operations in early 2027.

BASF developed Neopor, an expandable polystyrene (EPS) granulate incorporating graphite, which is largely utilized as a raw material in the production of energy-efficient insulation materials for building envelopes. The graphite gives the material its grey color and improves the insulating effectiveness of the boards by up to 30% compared to white EPS. Neopor insulation materials have set new benchmarks for new building and remodeling.

BASF forecasts a surge in demand for materials for energy-efficient building renovations in the coming years. The European Union aspires to achieve carbon neutrality in the European building sector by 2050. To reach this ambitious target, all EU member states must adopt the European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive ("EPBD"), which sets high standards for improving building energy efficiency.

BASFY offers products with further optimized sustainability profiles with Neopor BMB and Neopor Mcycled. In addition to lowering CO2 emissions produced during building uses, Neopor BMB and Neopor Mcycled also lessen the building's overall carbon footprint. They maintain the same high product quality and optimal insulating performance as classic Neopor.

Shares of BASFY have gained 15.1% over the past year compared with 9.4% rise of its industry.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

BASF’s Rank & Key Picks

BASFY currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).

Better-ranked stocks in the basic materials space include Carpenter Technology Corporation CRS, IAMGOLD Corporation IAG and Centrus Energy Corp. LEU. 

Carpenter Technology currently carries a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). CRS beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the last four quarters, with the average earnings surprise being 15.9%. The company's shares have soared 155.1% in the past year. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for IAG’s current-year earnings is pegged at 54 cents, indicating a year-over-year rise of 500%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for IAG's current-year earnings has been going up in the past 30 days. IAG, a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) stock, beat the consensus estimate in each of the last four quarters, with the average earnings surprise being 200%. The company's shares have rallied roughly 147.5% in the past year.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Centrus’ current-year earnings is pegged at $3.06 per share. LEU, a Zacks Rank #1 stock, beat the consensus estimate in three of the last four quarters while missed once, with the average earnings surprise being 107.1%. LEU has rallied around 61.9% in the past year.