ScienceChemistryNatural Sciences

SUBSTANCE

BASF

SUBSTANCE is a podcast about the discoveries and innovations in chemistry and beyond helping us to develop sustainable solutions. Host Joe Hanson exchanges ideas with international guests and presents visionary projects and exciting innovations.

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13 episodes
monthly
Avg 29 min
English

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#13
Wednesday · 38 min
Enzymes
Enzymes are among nature’s most powerful catalysts and are helping scientists and industry tackle some of the world’s biggest sustainability challenges. In this episode of SUBSTANCE, host Joe Hanson explores how enzymes are improving everyday household items such as detergents and how cutting-edge enzyme research could help address climate change. Dr. Oliver Spangenberg, senior Leader in industrial biotechnology at BASF, explains how enzymes have transformed the laundry industry. By enabling detergents to remove stubborn stains at lower temperatures and in shorter wash cycles, enzymes help reduce household energy consumption while protecting fabrics and extending the life of clothing. Later in the episode, guest expert Jessica Swanson, Professor of Chemistry at the University of Utah, discusses her research into how enzymes are used by methane-consuming bacteria. Methane is one of the most potent greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, and Swanson’s team is investigating how biological systems naturally convert methane into other compounds. By combining biology, chemistry, physics, and advanced computer simulations, researchers are working toward solutions that could one day help reduce methane emissions from sources such as landfills or energy production. In next month’s episode of the SUBSTANCE podcast, we will discuss “Light“. Subscribe now so you’ll never miss an episode. More about the podcast: www.basf.com/substance-podcast More about guest expert Jessica Swanson and her research: https://chem.utah.edu/directory/faculty/swanson-jessica.php https://swansongroup.chem.utah.edu/ SUBSTANCE is a podcast by BASF, produced by TERRITORY Agency, in collaboration with Wake Word and Joe Hanson. Research and scripting by Danielle Sedbrook, Claudia Doyle, Stefan Rommel, and Joe Hanson.
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#12
July 15 · 36 min
Clay
Clay is one of the oldest materials humans have ever used, from early pottery to the walls of homes. In this episode, host Joe Hanson explores how this ancient material can inspire new solutions for an increasingly warming world. Brook Kennedy, Design Professor at Virginia Tech in the United States, explains how traditional technologies can offer valuable starting points for contemporary design. Inspired by passive cooling methods such as wind towers and water jars, he and his team are developing 3D-printed clay partitions that use evaporative cooling. Dr. Frank Reuter, Business Manager Cavipor® at BASF, presents a breathable clay-foam insulation material that can be injected into wall cavities in existing buildings without invasive retrofitting. Cavipor insulates against heat and cold, dampens noise, and is flame-retardant. For older homes in particular, it offers a way to improve comfort and energy efficiency while preserving the building’s original structure. Clay becomes a reminder that simple, familiar substances can still hold surprising potential when we look at them with fresh questions. In the next episode, we will discuss “Enzymes”. The episode will be released on September 10. Subscribe now so you’ll never miss an episode. More about Cavipor: https://construction.basf.com/global/en/products/cavipor_reliable_insulation More about Brook Kennedy and his work: https://design.vt.edu/faculty-staff/faculty/industrial-design/kennedy-brook.html More about this podcast episode: https://basf.com/substance-podcast SUBSTANCE is a podcast by BASF, produced by TERRITORY Agency, in collaboration with Wake Word and Joe Hanson. Research and scripting by Danielle Sedbrook, Claudia Doyle, Stefan Rommel and Joe Hanson.
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#11
June 17 · 27 min
Sulfur
Sulfur might evoke matches, volcanic gases, or that yellow rock from chemistry class – but it’s far more powerful than you probably think. In this episode of SUBSTANCE, host Joe Hanson explores the surprising story of an element that has shaped human history for centuries and plays a crucial role in our modern life. Joe hears from Andrew Szydlo, PhD, a legendary performance chemist and educator, who takes us on a wild ride through sulfur’s colorful past: from the alchemists who tried to turn it into gold to Chinese gunpowder and 19th century acid batteries – and what it has to do with our modern vehicles. Marco Kennema, PhD, the Global Business Director for Oxidation Catalysts at BASF in Shanghai, tells about how his company has revolutionized the production of sulfuric acid with a 3D-printed catalyst. A formerly crazy idea that turned out to become a next level game changer… More info about this episode: www.basf.com/substance-podcast SUBSTANCE is a podcast by BASF; produced by TERRITORY Agency in collaboration with Wake Word and Joe Hanson. Research and scripting by Danielle Sedbrook, Claudia Doyle, Stefan Rommel and Joe Hanson.
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#10
May 20 · 27 min
Fiber
In this episode of SUBSTANCE, host Joe Hanson explores the unique capabilities of fibers like hemp or coconut and where they can be used sustainably: From the automotive industry to coastal protection. BASF expert Shengzhong Zhou, PhD, explains how a BASF binder turns natural fibers in a surprisingly stable and very lightweight material and how this can change automotive industry. He also presents the "Future Chair," co‑developed with BASF from bamboo fibers, which was awarded for sustainable design and material innovation in 2025. Julie Schumacher and Zack Royle from the nonprofit American Littoral Society also turn to fibers for a global ecological challenge: to stop erosion on the New Jersey coast, they developed a method to restore the beach and rebuild the marsh – using coconut fibers that would otherwise end up as waste. More info about this episode: www.basf.com/substance-podcast More about American Littoral Society: https://www.littoralsociety.org/ SUBSTANCE is a podcast by BASF; produced by TERRITORY Agency in collaboration with Wake Word and Joe Hanson. Research and scripting by Danielle Sedbrook, Claudia Dolye, Stefan Rommel and Joe Hanson.
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#9
April 15 · 30 min
Salt
Salt may be one of the most familiar substances in everyday life, but in this episode of SUBSTANCE, host Joe Hanson explores how a special class of salts could help decarbonize one of the most overlooked parts of the energy system: heat. With the help of experts Dr. Nils-Olof Born of BASF and Assistant Professor Silvia Trevisan of KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Joe Hanson looks at how so-called molten salts can store and deliver heat for industrial processes without relying on fossil fuels. Nils-Olof Born, Global Marketing and Product Manager for Inorganic Salts at BASF, explains why certain nitrogen salt mixtures are so promising for thermal energy storage: Unlike ordinary table salt, these mixtures melt at comparatively low temperatures what makes them pumpable. And: Molten salts can hold a lot of heat, without taking up too much space. He also discusses BASF’s role as a supplier of high-purity synthetic salts and why the company is interested in molten salt technology both as a materials producer and as an industrial heat user. Silvia Trevisan argues that heat deserves far more attention in the energy transition. She explains why decarbonizing industrial heat is essential for meaningful emissions reductions and how molten salt systems can help by converting energy into heat, storing it, and releasing it when needed. The episode also highlights how this technology is already being tested and deployed in real-world applications, including Kyoto Group’s Heatcube systems for industrial and district heating. In next month’s episode, we will discuss “Fibers”. Subscribe now so you’ll never miss an episode. More about guest Silvia Trevisan and her work as Assistant Professor at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden: https://www.kth.se/profile/trevisan More about Kyoto Group‘s Heatcube systems: https://www.kyotogroup.no/heatcube SUBSTANCE is a podcast by BASF, produced by TERRITORY Agency, in collaboration with Wake Word and Joe Hanson. Research and scripting by Danielle Sedbrook, Claudia Doyle, Stefan Rommel and Joe Hanson.
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#8
March 18 · 27 min
CO2
CO₂ is one of the gases most closely linked to global warming, but it is also deeply embedded in how modern industry and cities function. In this episode of SUBSTANCE, host Joe Hanson explores what it will take to reduce emissions in two places that matter enormously for the climate: industrial production and urban design. Drawing on perspectives from Christoph Jäkel of BASF and renowned architect and urban planner Steffen Lehmann, the episode looks at how systems can be redesigned to cut carbon emissions while improving the way we live. Dr. Christoph Jäkel, Vice President of Corporate Sustainability at BASF, explains how their Verbund-approach connects production processes so that heat and by-products from one plant can be used in another, helping to save resources and lower the company’s carbon footprint. One example is BASF’s new Verbund site in Zhanjiang, China, which is designed to run on renewable electricity, Urban planner Professor Steffen Lehmann argues that cities can play a crucial role in lowering CO₂ emissions if they are designed to be denser, greener, and less dependent on private cars. He explains why compact, polycentric cities have a lower carbon footprint than sprawling urban regions and discusses how urban planning choices such as more tree cover, better cycling infrastructure, and mixed-use neighborhoods can make cities both more climate-friendly and more livable. In next months’ episode, we will discuss “Salt”. Subscribe now so you’ll never miss an episode. More about this episode: www.basf.com/substance-podcast More about guest Steffen Lehmann and his projects: www.unlv.edu/people/steffen-lehmann www.si-architecture.com/ SUBSTANCE is a podcast by BASF, produced by TERRITORY Agency, in collaboration with Wake Word and Joe Hanson. Research and scripting by Danielle Sedbrook, Claudia Doyle, Stefan Rommel and Joe Hanson.
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#7
February 18 · 34 min
Fabric
Fabrics and fashion are deeply tied to sustainability – not least because the scale of production and consumption means huge volumes end up as waste or pollution. This episode of SUBSTANCE asks what it would take to “close the loop” and move fabrics toward a circular economy. Host Joe Hanson draws on perspectives from both the Hong Kong–based nonprofit Redress and BASF in his exploration of why circularity is a useful way to turn intent into action; from designing for durability, repair and recyclability to building the systems needed for collection and sorting. Christina Dean, PhD, founder and CEO of Redress, argues for a broader system shift in fashion where circular design, education, and industry action matter as much as consumer choices. The episode also features Dag Wiebelhaus, PhD, Head of Innovation of BASF’s Monomers division, who presents a groundbreaking technology that turns used textiles into new garments. At the same time, he acknowledges the economic and infrastructure hurdles that still make scaling challenging. Host Joe Hanson guides the conversation through both the innovative approach and the real-world constraint of changing how clothing is made, used, and recovered. Subscribe now so you’ll never miss an episode. More info about this episode: basf.com/substance-podcast More info about Dr. Christina Dean and Redress: www.redress.com.hk More info about loopamid: www.loopamid.com/global/en SUBSTANCE is a podcast by BASF, produced by TERRITORY Agency, in collaboration with Wake Word and Joe Hanson. Research and scripting by Danielle Sedbrook, Claudia Doyle, Hardy Röde and Joe Hanson.
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#6
January 21 · 31 min
Water
In this episode, our host Joe Hanson discusses a SUBSTANCE that is literally vital: water. Former NASA expert, now entrepreneur Diana Yousef and BASF scientist Ligia Azevedo make it clear in their stories, that the economical use of clean drinking water is essential for our survival and how new technologies can help us preserve it. Diana Yousef, PhD, experienced water scarcity in her family history and, as founder and CEO of change:WATER Labs, wants to change how and how much of it we use. With her experience in space research, she developed a waterless toilet. Ligia Azevedo, PhD, works at the Agricultural Solutions division of BASF and is involved in an innovative method to reduce water consumption and methane emissions in rice cultivation. That is a decisive lever: Rice is the staple food for more than two-thirds of the world’s population with a traditional cultivation that consumes vast amounts of freshwater. Responsible water use concerns us all. This episode inspires you with two concrete examples of how things can be changed to the better. You find more information about this podcast episode here: www.basf.com/substance-podcast and in this article: https://www.basf.com/global/en/media/magazine/creatingchemistrystories/2026/smart-solutions-for-a-thirsty-tradition More info about Diana Yousef and change:WATER Labs: https://www.change-water.com SUBSTANCE is a podcast by BASF, produced by TERRITORY Agency, in collaboration with Wake Word and Joe Hanson. Research and scripting by Danielle Sedbrook, Claudia Doyle, Stefan Rommel and Joe Hanson.
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#4
Dec 17, 2025 · 35 min
Fungi
In this episode of SUBSTANCE, host Joe Hanson explores the surprising power of fungi with artist-turned-entrepreneur Phil Ross and BASF scientist Dr. Birgit Hoff. Far from being just mold or mushrooms, fungi are nature’s recyclers and bio factories, capable of producing antibiotics, vitamins, and even sustainable materials for fashion, packaging, and construction. Phil Ross shares how his fascination with fungi led him from growing edible mushrooms to creating sculptures and finally growing leather-like materials from mycelium with his partner Sophia Wang at MycoWorks. Birgit Hoff explains how BASF uses fungal fermentation to replace fossil-based chemical processes, producing essential compounds like vitamin B2. Compared to the chemical process, the biotechnology process requires one-quarter less energy, produces one-third less greenhouse gas, and is resource-efficient thanks to the renewable feedstock. If you’re curious about fungi’s unique capabilities, biotechnology or the intersection of art and science, in this episode you will learn more about the talents from the underground. Subscribe now so you’ll never miss an episode. More information: www.basf.com/substance-podcast Talents from the underground More info about Phil Ross and MycoWorks: www.mycoworks.com More info about Open Fung: https://openfung.org/ SUBSTANCE is a podcast by BASF, produced by TERRITORY Agency, in collaboration with Wake Word and Joe Hanson. Research and scripting by Danielle Sedbrook, Claudia Doyle, Hardy Röde and Joe Hanson.
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#5
Nov 19, 2025 · 26 min
Plastics - Part 2
Plastics are everywhere – but can they ever be truly sustainable? In this episode, host Joe Hanson asks how plastics fit into a circular economy – a system designed to minimize waste and maximize resource efficiency. From the familiar mantra of reduce, reuse, recycle to innovative strategies that go far beyond recycling, this conversation dives into what it takes to create a sustainable future for plastics and how waste can become a resource. Joe hears from Talke Schaffrannek of BASF on driving circular solutions and of Jabir Karat, the founder of the recycling facility Green Worms, on tackling waste challenges in rural India. Jabir Karat, a social entrepreneur from Kerala, describes how he saw plastic waste as both a problem and an opportunity to create employment and reduce poverty whilst reducing waste. His efforts highlight the urgent need for infrastructure and innovative solutions to prevent valuable resources from ending up in landfills. Talke Schaffrannek, Director of Circular Economy at BASF, shares how becoming a parent made her think deeply about the future and the resources we are handing over to the next generation. Talke emphasizes her role in driving BASF’s transformation toward circular solutions, leveraging the company’s innovative power and responsibility to change processes and resource intake. Discover why circularity is more than recycling and how innovative solutions can shape a greener and better future. If you have just joined SUBSTANCE, check out Episode 2 which shines a light on chemical recycling, a cutting-edge approach that could give new life to plastics that are currently considered unrecyclable – like the complex mix of materials found in old cars. Subscribe now so you’ll never miss an episode. More info about this episode: www.basf.com/substance-podcast More info about Green Worms: www.greenworms.org/ SUBSTANCE is a podcast by BASF, produced by TERRITORY Agency, in collaboration with Wake Word and Joe Hanson. Research and scripting by Danielle Sedbrook, Claudia Doyle, Hardy Röde and Joe Hanson.
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#3
Oct 22, 2025 · 20 min
Plastics - Part 1
Plastic is one of the most transformative materials of the modern age. It’s in our cars, our homes, and our clothes. Lightweight, durable, and endlessly moldable, plastic has revolutionized manufacturing and design across nearly every industry. But this material comes with a serious downside: it’s incredibly difficult to dispose of in the right way. For this episode, host Joe Hanson is joined by two experts who are working on just that. Matthias Kuba, Professor at BOKU University and Area Manager Syngas Platform Technologies at BEST in Vienna, and Wiebke Speckels, sustainability expert at BASF, share their vision for a future where plastic waste isn’t burned or landfilled, but recycled and used as new feedstock Their work focuses on chemical recycling, a cutting-edge approach that could give new life to plastics that are currently considered unrecyclable – like the complex mix of materials found in old cars. Together, they explore how innovation in chemistry and engineering can help us preserve the benefits of this essential substance. Over the next two episodes of SUBSTANCE, Joe Hanson offers a compelling look at how we might reshape our relationship with plastic and build a more sustainable world in the process. Subscribe now so you’ll never miss an episode. You can find more information here: https://www.basf.com/global/en/media/magazine/creatingchemistrystories/podcasts SUBSTANCE is a podcast by BASF, produced by TERRITORY Agency, in collaboration with Wake Word and Joe Hanson. Research and scripting by Danielle Sedbrook, Claudia Doyle, Hardy Röde and Joe Hanson.
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#2
Sep 24, 2025 · 45 min
Hydrogen
Researchers and companies around the globe are racing to tap into an invisible resource seen as a beacon of hope for achieving climate neutrality—hydrogen. Could the key to a green transformation lie beneath our very feet? In this first episode of SUBSTANCE, host Joe Hanson dives into the surprising and wide-ranging story of hydrogen: from its role in the origins of life to its place in today’s energy transition. Along the way, we meet the scientists and engineers who are rethinking what this element means for society, industry, and a sustainable future. With his guests, earth scientist Prof. Barbara Sherwood Lollar (University of Toronto), geochemist Olivier Sissmann (IFP Énergies Nouvelles), and production manager Volker Ehret (BASF) host Joe Hanson discusses some of humanity’s most pressing questions: How can we decarbonize industry? How do we secure global food supplies in a sustainable way? And what can the simplest element in the universe teach us about life itself? Substance. Stories about the stuff that shapes our world A BASF Original Podcast. Subscribe now so you’ll never miss an episode. Curious about more stories? Read our online magazine Creating Chemistry: basf.com/creating-chemistry-magazine. SUBSTANCE is a podcast by BASF, produced by TERRITORY Agency, in collaboration with Wake Word and Joe Hanson. Research and scripting by Danielle Sedbrook, Claudia Doyle, Hardy Röde and Joe Hanson.
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#1
Sep 17, 2025 · 1 min
Trailer
SUBSTANCE is a monthly podcast exploring the materials that shape our world. From hydrogen and plastic to fabric and fungi, each episode unpacks one essential substance — revealing its influence on our world and the surprising innovations that could redefine its role in our lives. In conversations with leading scientists and industry experts, host Joe Hanson offers fresh perspectives on how chemistry and innovation can help us tackle some of the world’s toughest challenges. Whether you’re a curious mind, a science enthusiast, or someone who simply wonders about the “stuff” all around us, SUBSTANCE tells the stories that matter — one material at a time. Curious about more stories? Read our online magazine Creating Chemistry: basf.com/creating-chemistry-magazine SUBSTANCE is a podcast by BASF, produced by TERRITORY Agency, in collaboration with Wake Word and Joe Hanson. Research and scripting by Danielle Sedbrook, Claudia Doyle, Hardy Röde and Joe Hanson.
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