BASF and Superior Materials
generation the family, learning as an account executive.
Meanwhile, Edgar Brothers would eventually be sold, becoming part of Engelhard Corporation, which was acquired by
BASF in 2006. Today, BASF’s kaolin division continues its close
collaboration with Superior Materials.
BASF Kaolin and Superior Materials leaders recently gathered at Superior Materials’ headquarters in Garden City, NY to
commemorate the companies’ 70-year partnership.
“We are very proud of our relationship with BASF,” Steven
Kafka said. “The kaolin business has thrived under BASF, and
we are really fortunate to have people in BASF’s kaolin group
who know their product so well. It’s quite special to have two
businesses married together for 70 years, and despite company
changes, the essential business remains the same.”
“When there is a close working relationship, it is motiva-
tional,” added Budman.
Uses for Kaolin
Kaolin has many benefits for both liquid and paste inks as well
as coatings. One advantage is limiting strike-through, keeping
the ink on the surface of the paper and not leaking through to
the other side. That is critical for substrates such as newspapers.
“Inks and paints are big industries for us,” said Ashok Khokhani,
global technical manager for kaolin for BASF Kaolin. “Secondary
kaolin’s platy shape is key to preventing strike-thru of inks, and it
also acts as a pigment extender, which helps in terms of developing
color strength. Kaolin is also very low abrasion, which is important
in preventing scratching on gravure cylinders.”
For paints and coatings, kaolin acts as both an extender as
well as improving hiding for architectural paints.
“Hydrous kaolin is used as an extender for titanium dioxide,” Khokhani noted. “Calcined kaolin is used extensively by
architectural paint manufacturers to provide hiding.”
Celebrating 70 Years
As they celebrated seven decades in the industry, the companies
looked back on the history of the relationship between BASF
and Superior Materials, from the beginnings of the use of kaolin
in inks and paints and the founding of Superior Materials.
“Our grandfather was a chemist, and he was contacted by the
Edgar Brothers, who asked if there was anything else to do with
kaolin,” Kafka said. “He felt there was a place in the printing industry, and convinced them to invest $1.5 million for equipment to
beneficiate and spray dry the kaolin for use in camouflage paints.
There was a pound of kaolin in every gallon of camouflage paint.
“Once the war ended, they went back to our grandfather to
find more uses, as well as to distribute the kaolin,” added Kafka.
“Our grandfather formed Superior Materials to sell kaolin, and
was also doing formulations for Edgar Brothers. From its hum-
ble beginnings, kaolin is now a global business, and remains a
very important ingredient in many products today.”
Kafka added that kaolin is also a “green” ingredient - it is,
after all, clay.
Jan Jeffries, director of Kaolin Sales for BASF, noted the special relationship between the two companies.
“Our channel partners are important to ensure that our
customers get the products they need,” Jeffries said. “Superior
Materials is our commercial sales force, and they have earned
our confidence for decades, something for which they can be
very proud.”
Kafka noted that the distribution industry is in the midst of
a consolidation wave, adding that Superior Materials has no
intention of leaving the field.
“In this day and age, many of our competitors are cashing
out,” Kafka said. “They are using the excuse that they need to
become bigger, but really it is because they lose the passion for
the business. We remain passionate because of the relationships
we have developed with our partners.”
As BASF Kaolin and Superior Materials celebrate their 70th
anniversary, it is clear that this partnership will continue for
many more years to come.
“Kaolin is our foundation, and it’s fun to look back, but we
are also looking forward,” Kafka concluded. CW
Edgar Brothers’ Distributor Luncheon in 1953.
On hand for the 70th anniversary celebration of the collaboration between
BASF’s Kaolin Division and Superior Materials are, from left, David Kafka of
Superior Materials; Tony Lake of BASF, Matthew Kafka of Superior Materials; Manuel Voigt of BASF; Steven Kafka of Superior Materials; Jan Jeffries
of BASF; Rachel Potter of BASF; Nicola Steffen of BASF; Ashok Khokhani of
BASF; and Ted Budman of Superior Materials.
