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Stepping up footwear innovationwith new polyurethane materials
Automotive team accumulatesnew awards
Smooth introduction for resinsfor abrasive applications
Transforming heavy goodstransit with TPU
MexicoA growing marketfor polyurethanes
R E P O R T I N G T H E W O R L D O F P O LY U R E T H A N E S F O R O U R C U S T O M E R S
www.huntsman.com/pu
April 2017
www.huntsman.com/pu
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PUbriefing April 2017
As part of the move, 200 associates fromHuntsman’s Hongqiao, Shanghai offices haverelocated to the new campus. In total, thereare now 500 associates and 100 contractorsworking together on the Minhang site,representing all parts of the company – fromR&D to commercial delivery.
The 40,000m2 campus comprisesHuntsman’s Asia Pacific Technology Center(ATC), which opened in 2008, and housesstate-of-the-art laboratories, machine halls,analytical and testing centers and trainingfacilities. There are also administrative officesfor the commercial, marketing and functionalteams; and a downstream formulations facilityfor Huntsman’s polyurethanes business,which first opened in 1996.
More than 200 guests, including localauthorities, Huntsman customers, suppliers,
associates and corporate officers, attendedthe inauguration ceremony. Peter Huntsman,President and CEO of Huntsman and TonyHankins, Huntsman Polyurethanes Presidentand CEO Asia Pacific, hosted the event.
Speaking at the ceremony, Peter Huntsman,said: “The greatest output of this site will bethe production of human creativity andinteraction. This site is an investment in thefuture. It is through our collective efforts thatwe will be able to build upon the successesof the past generation and provide hope andopportunity to future generations.”
Huntsman employs 1,400 people in Chinaand has local sales of over $1 billion – morethan 10% of the company’s total global sales.China is Huntsman’s second largest nationalmarket after the United States. |
In November 2016, Huntsmaninaugurated its Shanghai, Chinacampus in the Minhang Economic& Technological DevelopmentZone. In a move designed tosignificantly boost collaborationand synergies within thebusiness, and significantlyenhance Huntsman’s innovationperformance and service tocustomers, the campus bringstogether all Shanghai associatesin one location.
Mexico: a growing market for polyurethanesTony Hankins, President, Huntsman Polyurethanes
If you’re a regular reader of PU Review, you’ll know that there are several common themes running through everything that wedo at Huntsman Polyurethanes: developing innovative, more differentiated new products in collaboration with our customers;increasingly, we’re moving into downstream markets; and we’re underpinning this innovation with carefully targeted investments.
This latest issue of PU Review is full of stories which bring these themes to life. In the last six months, we’ve expanded our Asia Pacific Technical Center in Shanghai, China, to create a campus which brings together all of our Shanghai-basedemployees under ‘one roof’, giving a significant boost to cross functional innovation. We’ve installed hot-cast elastomer machinesin our three regional innovation centers to strengthen our leadership position in this important market. We’re investing in theexpansion of our polyether polyol capacity at our Geismar, Louisiana plant to keep pace with growing demand in the Americas;and we’ve established a composites center of excellence at our Auburn Hills, Michigan site to support our automotive andindustrial customers. Our commitment to innovation has never been greater and we’ve recently strengthened our leadershipwith the appointment of a new Global Vice President of Technology & Innovation, Pavneet Mumick, who has extensivedownstream innovation experience.
This edition of PU Review also features an insight into our work in Mexico – where the market for polyurethanes has beengrowing fast. Ahead of the first UTECH Las Americas show in April, Luis Arcos, our General Manager in Mexico, shares histhoughts on the use of polyurethanes in the region and why demand has been so high over the last few years. While discussionsat the event will inevitably focus on the future of free trade in the NAFTA region, we’re looking forward to a really productiveexperience as the event gives us the chance to meet face-to-face with our customers and new prospects in this important region.
As always, I hope you enjoy this edition of PU Review. If you have any questions, do email my colleagues named in each article.
TeamcelebratesShanghaicampusinauguration
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Huntsman Advanced Technology Centershines during technology showcase
Attendees participated in a series of behind-the-scenes tours given by Brian Pellon, VicePresident of Research & Development atHuntsman and his staff, and had a close lookat the research, development and innovationtaking place at the facility. U.S. RepresentativeKevin Brady and Texas State SenatorBrandon Creighton, who both represent thedistrict where HATC is located, were presentfor the showcase.
Other community influencers were also inattendance, along with Peter Huntsman,President and CEO of Huntsman. “The HATCis a shining example of the important andinnovative work taking place at our companyevery day,” Peter Huntsman said. “We arehonored to showcase this facility, where wedevelop technologies that improve people’slives around the globe.”
U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady, said: “It’sexciting to have a community partner likeHuntsman open up its doors, so we can all seethe technological innovation happening on site.”
During Huntsman’s showcase, there wereseveral items on display, including two cars –a BMW i3 car and a ZENOS E10 sports car –and a water skiing boat. The cars and boathelped demonstrate how Huntsman’sproducts are used in the manufacture ofconsumer items, and how the companycreates products and technologies thatenable consumers to use less energy throughlight-weighting and fuel efficiency.
The BMW i3 showcased how Huntsman’sspecialty materials, and a novel carbon fibertechnology based on its technologies, areused to provide a lightweight, safe passengercabin for a cutting edge, premium electricvehicle. The ZENOS E10 sports cardemonstrated how Huntsman’s technologiescan be used in sports car chassis. |
Participants viewed a spray polyurethanefoam (SPF) application demonstration.
Peter Huntsman explains the polyurethanestechnology found in the Zenos E10 sports carto U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady.
Pavneet Mumick to head up PU technology and innovation
Pavneet joins Huntsman Polyurethanes from Momentive Performance Materials, where he was Global VicePresident of Technology. He has more than 20 years of industrial R&D experience, primarily servingdownstream markets. Over the course of his career, Pavneet has worked at a number of organizations,including Rohm & Haas, National Starch and Kimberly Clark.
Pavneet holds a Ph.D. in Polymer Science from the University of Southern Mississippi and is a co-author of42 U.S. patents. His experience spans a broad range of materials, including polyurethanes and covers manykey market sectors.
Under Pavneet’s leadership, Huntsman Polyurethanes will drive towards becoming a supplier of choice amongcustomers looking for tailored solutions for their differentiated offerings. The Technology & Innovation team willbe looking for more opportunities to collaborate with customers to provide differentiated solutions for theirnext game changing products. |
Pavneet Mumick recently joined Huntsman Polyurethanes as Global Vice President,Technology & Innovation, succeeding Keith Day who retired in late 2016.
In October 2016, Huntsmanhosted elected officials,community influencers andmembers of the media at atechnology showcase atthe Huntsman AdvancedTechnology Center (HATC)in The Woodlands, Texas.
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Team scoops prestigious BMW award
Across the automotive industry, there is a drive to reduce emissions and odorgenerating impurities from seating foams; to improve passenger comfort and theoverall driving experience. Huntsman’sautomotive team developed a unique MDIsystem, novel polyol and formaldehyde‘scavenger’ technology. This innovativechemistry enabled BMW to reduce totalemissions from its seating foams by a factorof ten – without compromising comfort orquality. Huntsman is the only supplier tomeet BMW Group’s ambitious requirementsfor molded foams.
Tony Hankins, President of HuntsmanPolyurethanes, accepted the award at aceremony held at BMW Welt in Munich,Germany. Commenting, he said: “BMW iswell known for its exacting performancestandards and Huntsman has been a long-term technology partner to the business,assisting in its drive for improved safety,performance, comfort and sustainability. We are incredibly proud of this award and the difference that our technology will make to BMW customers worldwide.” |
Huntsman Polyurethanes has won a prestigious Supplier InnovationAward from BMW Group for developing a technology that candramatically reduce total emissions from the high performancepolyurethane seating foam used in its vehicles.
Hot-cast elastomer equipmentto be installed at R&D centers
Huntsman Tecnoelastomeri, the Italian systems house acquired byHuntsman in 2015, produces CASTECH™ machines – an advancedequipment solution for the efficient processing of hot-cast polyurethaneelastomers and microcellular elastomer foams.
Dr. Riccardo Cira, Commercial and Marketing Manager at HuntsmanPolyurethanes, said: “Installing three CASTECH™ machines at strategiclocations in our global R&D network is an important step forward in theglobalization of the Huntsman Tecnoelastomeri business. When we wereacquired, the system house already had a very successful business model in place – focused predominantly on the European market for hot-castelastomers. With the team now embedded into Huntsman, our objective is to replicate their commercial achievements in other parts of the world. By installing a CASTECH™ machine in each region, we are putting our R&D and prototyping capabilities exactly where our customers need them,increasing opportunities for engagement on innovation projects. We arealso developing the team’s global production and supply chain capabilities.”
Hot-cast elastomers are widely used in industrial applications. Providinggood chemical resistance and mechanical, dynamical performance, theyare typically employed in the manufacture of wheels, seals, technical partsand rolls; mining, oil and gas equipment and bumpers and rail pads. |[email protected]
In a move that will increase opportunities for customercollaboration on elastomer-based R&D projects,Huntsman Polyurethanes plans to install a CASTECH™machine at its European headquarters in Everberg,Belgium; at its Auburn Hills R&D site in Michigan; and at its Asia Pacific Technology Center (ATC) inShanghai, China.
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The PUR-CSM machine enables themanufacture of fiber-reinforced componentscreated via a spraying process. Productsmade using this method include sunshadesand cargo area load floors.
The Hennecke HK metering machine willenable Huntsman to work with its customersin the Americas to develop and prototypehoneycomb panel composite spray moldings.
David Bareis, Market Development Manager,Polyurethane Composites, HuntsmanPolyurethanes, said: “Installing this PUR-CSMwork cell increases the wide range of qualitycomposite solutions that we can provide tothe transportation market. It should also helpour customers shorten their developmentcycle – enabling them to conduct pilot scaleproduction of parts and systems before goinginto full-scale manufacturing.”
Honeycomb composite panels are commonlymanufactured for non-structural automotiveapplications using glass-fiber (mat/fabric) witha paper honeycomb core.
“The market for this technology is firmlyestablished in Europe, but it is growing veryrapidly in the Americas,” said Randy Wellman,Automotive Business Manager, HuntsmanPolyurethanes. “We intend to use this newequipment for known industry applications.However, we will also extend the technologywith Huntsman Polyurethanes’ VITROX®resinand Huntsman Advanced Materials’ARALDITE®epoxy chemistries to createadvanced honeycomb structural componentsusing carbon fiber and high performancehoneycomb cores.”
The purchase and installation of the PUR-CSM equipment is another example ofHuntsman Polyurethanes and HuntsmanAdvanced Materials working together toincrease the corporation’s capabilities andestablish a composites center of excellence at Auburn Hills. The PUR-CSM machine wascommissioned in Q4 2016. Developmentprograms with initial customers are underwayand Huntsman is soliciting additionalcustomer applications. |
Huntsman Polyurethanes is expanding its reach into automotive andindustrial composite markets in the Americas with the installation of ahoneycomb panel composite spray molding (PUR-CSM) production cell. A new Hennecke HK metering machine for PUR-CSM applications wasrecently installed at the Auburn Hills, Michigan technical center, and willsupport the company’s expanding automotive and industrial businesses.
Composites Center ofExcellence established atAuburn Hills, Michigan site
Geismar expandsspecialty JEFFOL®polyether polyolproduction
“This is an exciting step forward thatwill allow us to keep pace with growingdemand for our polyols in North andSouth America,” said Steve Burns,Vice President Americas, HuntsmanPolyurethanes. “This investment willstrengthen our capabilities to supplytailored polyurethanes systems toour customers.”
The additional capacity gained willsupport the strong growth expected in several end-markets, includingautomotive, adhesives, sealants, coatings, elastomers, bedding andfurniture, as well as several polyurethaneinsulation applications.
Huntsman Polyurethanes manufactures avariety of JEFFOL®polyether polyols at itsGeismar site. These polyols are essentialto the development of polyisocyanurateand polyurethane system applications.
The debottlenecking project is scheduledfor completion in the third quarterof 2017. |
In mid-December 2016,Huntsman Polyurethanes beganan important debottleneckingproject at its Geismar, Louisianamanufacturing site. Theexpansion program will increasecapacity for several grades ofspecialty JEFFOL®polyetherpolyol by more than 10%, byreducing batch cycle times.
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PU Review (PU R): Thanks for taking the timeto speak to us Luis. How long have youworked for Huntsman Polyurethanes? Luis Arcos (LA): I have worked at Huntsmanfor 17 years — mostly in the automotive sector,where we have seen substantial growth. Then,in 2016, I became General Manager forMexico.
PU R: How big is the Huntsman Polyurethanesteam in Mexico? LA: In Mexico City, we have a growing numberof dedicated associates supporting theHuntsman Polyurethanes business. We have atechnical center to provide local support to ourcustomers based in Mexico and thesurrounding areas. At this site, we are able toconduct trials of new systems with customersand provide technical support. We also have ateam of customer service representatives toassist with all customer inquiries.
Additionally, we have distribution points locatedthroughout the country in Juarez, Chihuahua,Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Hidalgo and MexicoCity. This network means we are well placed toservice customers anywhere in the country.
Our Mexico City office also works closely withHuntsman Polyurethanes’ three technicalcenters in The Woodlands, Texas; Auburn Hills,Michigan; and Derry, New Hampshire, as wellas our MDI/JEFFOL®polyether polyolsmanufacturing site in Geismar, Louisiana; ourTEROL®polyester polyols site in Houston,Texas; and our thermoplastic polyurethane(TPU) production site in Ringwood, Illinois.
Specifically, our Woodlands site supports ourspecialty insulation systems applications –including insulated metal panels, appliancesand spray foam; whereas our Auburn Hills sitesupports our flex foam and elastomerapplications – namely footwear, automotiveand furniture. Our Derry site supports the R&Dwork we do in the TPU market in North andSouth America.
PU R: How long has Huntsman Polyurethanesbeen operating in Mexico? LA: We are in our 26th year of operations inMexico. Over this time, we have demonstratedour capabilities and grown into a variety ofdifferent sectors, including automotive,appliances and the construction markets.
Luis Arcos, General Manager, Mexicoat Huntsman Polyurethanes
Supporting growth in
MexicoIn April, Crain Communications will stage thefirst UTECH Las Americas event in Mexico City.In the run up to the show, PU Review spoke toLuis Arcos, General Manager, Mexico atHuntsman Polyurethanes, for an insight intothe company’s work in Mexico and the marketfor MDI and differentiated polyurethanes inLatin America.
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With a growing number of car and appliancemanufacturers located in Mexico and agrowing economy, being able to servicecustomer accounts directly from Mexico Cityhas numerous advantages.
There are currently 18 light vehicle productioncomplexes located in eleven states in Mexico,creating more than 48 different car and lighttruck models. On the appliance side, there area number of manufacturers located in Mexico.Some of the biggest appliance companies inthe world, including Mabe, Haier, Whirlpool,Electrolux, Samsung and LG, have a strongmanufacturing presence in the country.
Mexico also has a number of other growingindustries that use polyurethanes, includingconstruction, adhesives, paints and coatings,footwear, furniture and bedding, TPUs,elastomers and much more.
PU R: What are the key markets forpolyurethanes in Mexico? LA: Mexico is really a hot-bed for thepolyurethanes market, with the automotiveindustry leading the growth. Automotivecompanies, such as General Motors, Ford,Chrysler, Volkswagen, Nissan, Honda, BMW,Toyota and Mercedes-Benz, have madesubstantial investments here.
The automotive business is important to theMexican economy and accounts for 6% of itsgross domestic product (GDP). This number isexpected to rise in the future. Current marketprojections indicate Mexico will reach four millioncars by 2018 and five million by 2020.1 Withnumbers like that, it’s easy to understand whypolyurethane providers are putting so muchemphasis on the automotive industry in Mexico.
Mexico is now the fourth largest exporter ofautomobiles worldwide and the seventh largestmanufacturer of new automobiles worldwide.As the manufacturing of automobiles in Mexicogrows, so will the use of polyurethanes and theMexican economy.
PU R: Are there any core automotiveapplications for polyurethanes that stand out? LA: The great thing about providing solutionsto the automotive industry is the vastopportunities that are available. There are a lotof polyurethane materials used in themanufacture of car parts in Mexico. We don’tjust supply polyurethane solutions for one ortwo automotive parts to original equipmentmanufacturers (OEMs). We supply
polyurethanes for a broad range of automotivecomponents – from seats, steering wheels,headliners, carpets, flooring, headrests andinstrument panels to arm rests, wheels, airfilters and under-the-hood components,including air filters, cables and wires.
PU R: How big is the appliance industry inMexico? LA: Mexico is one of the world’s leadingsuppliers of household appliances, includingrefrigerators, washers and dryers, and hotwater heaters. On average, a typicalrefrigerator contains 22lbs. of polyurethanes.When you do the math, there are a lot ofpolyurethane components and systems beingsold into the sector.
PU R: What about the market for insulatedmetal panels?LA: Insulated metal panels, which are found in commercial refrigeration and foodtransportation, have a critical role in the coldfood supply chain – and will also play a majorpart in the future growth of Mexico’s economy.In this application, polyurethane insulationhelps ensure that products, in this case meat,fish and other fresh goods with a short shelf life,remain at the right temperature during transport,processing, distribution and at various stages of
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storage, until final consumption. Insulated metalpanels are also used in the construction ofcommercials buildings.
PU R: As the economy in Mexico grows, howwill this affect the people living in the country? LA: On a more personal level, as the Mexicaneconomy grows, so will the lifestyles of itscitizens. As that occurs, Mexico should see aboost in demand for polyurethane foam usageand TPU over the next few years for theproduction of consumer goods. Marketsaffected are likely to include consumerelectronics, footwear, furniture and bedding,and appliances, most of which are producedand consumed locally.
Consumer electronics, which feature TPUcomponents, include monitors, cables,televisions, LCD panels, mobile phones andtechnical parts. Today, Mexico is the sixth-largest technology producer in the world. The country is also the world’s third-largestproducer of computers and hosts at least adozen foreign and domestic computermanufacturers.2
PU R: What about the footwear market?LA: The footwear market provides thepolyurethane industry with another growth
As the Mexican economy grows, so will the lifestyles of its citizens.
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a leadership role in expanding the SPF marketin the United States and Canada, and hopes to do the same in Mexico.
As an industry, there is still a lot of work to doto properly train installers on the correct use ofpersonal protection equipment when applyingSPF. In that regard, I am proud to say thatHuntsman has a number of safe handlingdocuments available in Spanish. These can be found in our 2016-2017 HuntsmanPolyurethanes-Americas: Safe Handling andUse Toolkit.
PU R: Thinking more widely, where do you seegrowth within the construction market? LA: As companies either relocate theiroperations from the United States, Europe andAsia, or expand their businesses into Mexico,we will continue to see the growth ofpolyurethane-based materials – such as roofingmaterials, paints, coatings, adhesives, insulatedmetal panels, carpet and flooring – which areused to build and fit out commercial buildingsand residential homes.
Additionally, as the infrastructure in Mexicoimproves, there will be more and moreopportunities for polyurethane systems. Theindustry’s growth over 2020 is expected to bedriven by investments in infrastructure, energyand commercial construction projects. Thegovernment’s flagship program – the NationalInfrastructure Program (NIP) 2014-2018 – is expected to give some momentum to theindustry’s performance over the forecast period.
According to the country’s national statisticsinstitute, the Instituto Nacional de Estadística yGeografía (INEGI), the average constructionvolume index rose by 2.5%, going from 98.0 in2014 to 100.4 in 2015. During the first half of2016, the average construction volume indexgrew by 2.3% compared to the same period in2015. It increased from 96.1 in January-June2015 to 98.3 in January-June 2016.3
PU R: Will Huntsman’s acquisition ofTecnoelastomeri provide new opportunities forhot-cast elastomer companies in Mexico? LA: Yes, of course. Huntsman is looking toglobalize the Tecnoelastomeri business, whichup until a few years ago only serviced theEuropean market. The team recentlycompleted the installation of a CASTECH™hot-cast elastomer processing machine at ourtechnical center in Auburn Hills. This will enablethe business to conduct R&D and prototypingwork in the Americas region and should openup a lot of new doors in Mexico.
PU R: Do you have any final last thoughtsabout the polyurethanes sector in Mexico thatyou would like to share? LA: For the past 26 years, Huntsman has beenproud to serve the polyurethanes market inMexico. Our footprint in the Americas – Northand South – extends from Canada all the wayto Argentina. Across this vast territory, we have13 manufacturing sites; a network of customersupport staff; and technical centers andsystems houses serving a variety of markets.This will stand us in good stead in Mexico inthe future. It’s an exciting time for thepolyurethanes industry in this region and welook forward to liaising with existing and futurecustomers at the first, of hopefully many,UTECH Las Americas events.
1 Asociación Mexicana de la Industria Automotríz(AMIA) (2014)
2 North American Production Sharing, Inc. (NAPS)3 http://www.reportlinker.com/p04555956-
summary/Construction-in-Mexico-Key-Trends-and-Opportunities-to.html
opportunity. Some global fashion footwearcompanies have decided to move productionfrom Asia to Mexico to serve the NAFTAmarket. According to market data from theMexico Footwear Agency, Mexico has morethan 7,500 footwear manufacturers, both bigand small, producing an average of 244 millionpairs of shoes. Mexico even has a number oftrade shows and highly visible fashion eventsdedicated to the footwear industry. Frompolyurethane-based midsoles to TPU-basedsoles, polyurethane solutions can be found inevery kind of shoe from rugged safety boots tohigh-tech athletic and high fashion footwear.
PU R: Switching to the construction market; inthe United States and Canada, spraypolyurethane foam (SPF) is becoming moreand more prevalent as an insulation choice forresidential and commercial buildings. Is that thecase in Mexico?LA: SPF is starting to pick up a little steam inMexico. Similar to the United States, buildersare looking at polyurethane-based insulationmaterials as a way to reduce energy use inhomes and buildings.
However, unlike the SPF contractor businessin the United States, where applicators are a stand-alone business and serviced by distributors, most of the SPF applicators in Mexico are serviced by polyurethanesystem houses.
It is really an industry in its infancy. Right now,there are not that many SPF applicators inMexico, but as demand increases, we canexpect that number to increase exponentially.With more new entrants into the market, therewill of course be some growing pains. The keyto growing this market in Mexico will be tofollow the model set out in the United Statesand Canada over the past ten years. There,applicators and suppliers created industrystandards supported by industry tradeassociations. Huntsman Polyurethanes took
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The industry’s growth over 2020 isexpected to be driven by investmentsin infrastructure, energy andcommercial construction projects.
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“We are committed to providing high-quality,sustainable materials that allow our customersto design their insulation products withconfidence,” said Les Yamato, BusinessManager, TEROL®Polyols, HuntsmanPolyurethanes. “Receiving UL Environmentrecognition for TEROL®250 and 649 polyolsis an important step, as we now offer certifiedsystems house polyols in addition to ourprimary product used in polyiso boardstockapplications.”
TEROL®250 polyol contains an average of64% recycled content, consisting of 36%post-consumer and 27% pre-consumerrecycled material. It is recommended for usein all polyurethane and polyisocyanuratesystems, as well as spray foam and pour-in-place applications. The high aromatic contentand lower viscosity of TEROL®250 polyolallows for the use of lower flame retardantlevels with excellent viscosity and fireperformance results in finished B-sides, in small scale testing.
TEROL®649 polyol contains an average of16% bio-based material and 24% pre-consumer recycled material, and is targetedfor use in next-generation blowing agentsystems. However, TEROL®649 polyol canalso be used with hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs),such as 245fa or 365mfc/227. The highfunctionality of TEROL®649 polyol allows forhigher loading levels of the polyester, up to100% of the polyol requirement. This canimprove the performance of spray appliedpolyurethane foams in an array of testing
protocols, particularly small-scale fire testing.It can also allow reductions in the amount of flame retardants required in the B-side ofthe formulation.
Primarily used in polyisocyanurate boardstockinsulation applications, TEROL®563 polyolhas been re-certified, reflecting an increase inits recycled content from 27% to 32%. Whenproperly formulated and processed, insulationpanels produced with TEROL®563 polyol canpass the Factory Mutual 4450 Calorimeterand ASTM E-84 Tunnel tests.
UL verified Huntsman Polyurethanes’ pre-consumer recycled, post-consumer recycledand renewable resource content claims byreviewing the company’s manufacturingpractices and raw materials sources.Huntsman is now working to securecertification for additional polyols – a movethat will enable customers to design theirinsulation products with confidence and meetpreferred purchasing protocols.
Huntsman Polyurethanes offers one of thebroadest ranges of aromatic polyester polyolsfor rigid foam applications, with hydroxylvalues ranging from 120 to 350. Additionally,the company’s customized polyol solutionscan meet the most demanding insulationapplications. Huntsman Polyurethanesbecame the first U.S. aromatic polyesterpolyol manufacturer to receive the ULEnvironment certification in 2014. |
Three of Huntsman Polyurethanes’ TEROL®performance polyols have received UnderwritersLaboratories (UL) Environment certification. TEROL®250 and 649 polyols received inauguralcertifications, while TEROL®563 polyol was re-certified to reflect its increased recycled content.
TEROL®250 polyol contains an average of64% recycled content, consisting of 36%post-consumer and 27% pre-consumerrecycled material.
Three TEROL®performance polyolsreceive UL Environment Certification
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smartLite®PF 1560 TPU is an innovative, low-density, elastic material that is durable,resilient and 100% recyclable. Flexible, yetstrong, and with the potential to deliver anenergy return of up to 50%, this specificallyformulated grade of TPU has the ability tospring back to its original shape after beingstretched or compressed – making it perfectfor producing soft, bouncy midsoles for awide range of athletic footwear.
Fully tunable, thanks to a specialmanufacturing process, the cushioning effect offered by smartLite®PF 1560 TPU can be customized for different applications –giving footwear manufacturers extra flexibilityin the design and performance of shoes worn for running, general fitness or casualeveryday wear.
Sports shoes featuring smartLite®PF 1560TPU are incredibly comfortable and have the potential to help wearers run faster and for longer, while expending less energy. In midsole applications, smartLite®PF 1560TPU works by stretching to accommodate the impact caused by running, jumping andwalking. As the flow of movement changes,and feet lift off the ground, the materialresponds, returning to its original shape and transferring any power amassed to the wearer, who gets an extra spring in theirstep. Thanks to the exceptional durability of smartLite®PF 1560 TPU, this energy cycle can happen multiple times withoutdiminishing physical or mechanicalperformance properties.
Stephane Peysson, Global Innovation ProjectManager TPU at Huntsman Polyurethanes,said: “smartLite®PF 1560 TPU is designed tosatisfy the footwear industry’s ongoing questfor novel materials that are ultra lightweight, yetalso able to deliver the highest performanceand comfort levels. Fully tunable, smartLite®PF1560 TPU will have broad appeal across thesector. The fast moving sports industry is ourmain target market, but this new technologywill inevitably attract the interest of footwearproducers creating other kinds of shoes; thiscould include anyone looking for an alternativeto traditional materials, such as ethylene vinylacetate (EVA), which do not have the high levelof energy management offered by smartLite®PF 1560 TPU. The smartLite®brand hasalways been synonymous with high qualityfootwear, and this launch reinforces thatmessage with a new product that is incrediblydurable, has low VOCs and has excellentdynamic properties.”
smartLite®PF 1560 TPU is odorless withexcellent hydrolysis resistance and hasexcellent anti-UV qualities, meaning it is lessprone to yellowing over time. smartLite®PF1560 TPU is also stable at a wide range oftemperatures from -20ºc to 40ºc. Furthermore,it is easy to shape, mold and demold usingconventional steam chest equipment.
smartLite®PF 1560 TPU, which complies withall major EHS regulations, is being producedby Huntsman in Asia, a global manufacturinghub for the footwear industry. |
The Huntsman Polyurethanes footwear team haslaunched smartLite® PF 1560 TPU, a super lightweight,high energy return, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)that can transform the comfort and performance ofsports footwear, particularly running shoes.
High rebound,ultra-low density TPUfor sports footwear
Fully tunable, smartLite® PF 1560 TPU willhave broad appeal across the sector.
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Lightweight, high rebound, polyurethanes for sports and athleisure footwear
New DALTOPED®Lite ENERGY andDALTOPED®X-Lite soling solutions
Providing a viable alternative for footwearmanufacturers looking to substitute ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) or upgrade the reboundand elasticity properties achieved by existingpolyurethane soling materials, the materialsoffer new levels of comfort, performance and durability, plus improved dynamism even at low molding densities.
Both materials are ideal for the creation of unit soles and midsoles, but are suitable for use in almost all footwear applications.
DALTOPED®Lite ENERGY, the only PUproduct of its kind currently available, is alightweight polyurethane soling solution withdynamic energy return capabilities and adensity range of 250-450 kg/m3. Superresponsive, it provides high rebound andlong-lasting cushioning capabilities thatrespond to every stride. Helping to put lessstrain on the body and with the potential to
offer miles of comfort, DALTOPED®LiteENERGY is ideal for the production ofmidsoles for sports footwear and singledensity soles for athleisure shoes – typically worn during workouts, but also as comfortable casual wear.
Huntsman’s DALTOPED®X-Lite technologycombines the low density needed to makeshoes more comfortable (350 kg/m3) withexcellent mechanical and robust processingproperties. This polyether material has goodflexural strength and abrasion resistance, and is ideal for producing unit soles for high quality casual and children’s footwear, as well as midsoles and slippers.
Both DALTOPED®Lite ENERGY andDALTOPED®X-Lite are available in a widerange of color options, are easy to processand can reduce energy consumption in sole production. They are also compatible
with standard PU machinery and automatedprocesses – meaning little capital outlay isrequired to switch to the new materials.
Johan Van Dyck, Technical Manager at Huntsman Polyurethanes, said: “The development of our DALTOPED®Lite ENERGY and DALTOPED®X-Litetechnologies underscores our continuingcommitment to the footwear industry and serves as a reminder of our track record for pioneering revolutionarypolyurethane materials. Wholly committed to helping footwear manufacturers stay onestep ahead, we are developing materials that can help address future megatrends in consumer products.” |
Huntsman has developed two brand new soling solutions for the footwear industry. The two materials –DALTOPED®Lite ENERGY and DALTOPED®X-Lite – are designed to fill the performance gap betweenconventional polyurethane and expanded thermoplastic polyurethane (e-TPU) soling systems.
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PolyFlex Products (PFP), a U.S.-basedmanufacturer of specialist dunnage packagingsolutions, is using two of Huntsman’sabrasion resistant IROGRAN®and AVALON®TPU grades to boost the performance andlongevity of its custom trays, containers, nests and racks.
Dunnage is used to stabilize products intransit. In its most basic form, it is used in bulk shipping containers to prevent boxesand crates from moving around. PFP operatesat the more technical end of the dunnagespectrum, producing complex packagingsystems, tailor made to fit specific products.For the automotive industry, this includesbespoke solutions that fit securely aroundengines, gear transmissions, axles,windshields and body panels – protectingthem against damage and breakages, whichare inherent with truck, rail and sea shipments.
PFP has produced custom dunnage forautomotive OEMs for many years. Thebusiness creates plastic and rubber parts,which work in conjunction with metal racks that are stacked inside road, rail and sea containers. Historically, PFP usedpolypropylene to create its automotivedunnage, but the material lacked the lasting wear properties required. Over time, as sharp, heavy components were unpackedrepeatedly, the dunnage became prone tosplitting and tearing.
Searching for a better solution, PFP startedusing TPU. Assisted by Major Polymers, adistributor of Huntsman TPU, the businesspicked two abrasion-resistant TPU grades from Huntsman, each with a different shorehardness: 90A for heavy components and 60Dfor parts that have to be released by sliding.
Using the new materials, PFP quicklydiscovered how durable they were. Switchingto TPU has helped PFP ensure the longevityof its dunnage – typically around five years. It has also reduced incidents of dunnagedamage caused by atypical usage.
Working with Major Polymers and Huntsman,PFP has been able to expand the use of TPUacross a much broader range of dunnageapplications. Recently, the business hasbegun trialing a third type of TPU for thetransportation of automotive components.
Ken Bylo, Vice President at PolyFlexProducts, said: “The use of TPU inautomotive dunnage has been growingsteadily over the last decade. We were one of the first adopters of this material for thispurpose – and with help from MajorPolymers, we are extending its role.”
“OEMs are now proactively asking for TPU-based solutions. Initially, there were someconcerns about the extra up-front investmentrequired; TPU is typically more expensive –but there is a clear return on investment interms of longevity, as well as numerous other benefits. Whether transporting smallcomponents or 800lb. parts, TPU isbecoming the ‘go to’ dunnage material for our automotive customers. We love itbecause of its durability and our customerstrust it to keep their components pristine enroute to their assembly plants.”
Ken Scarpace, President at Major Polymers,said: “PFP’s switch to TPU wasstraightforward thanks to the technicalsupport we provided in tandem withHuntsman. The key challenge was helpingPFP produce larger dunnage parts using a material that responds differently to otherkinds of plastic and rubber. With input fromthe TPU team at Huntsman, we were able to offer advice that ensured a smoothtransition. We are delighted that PFP and its customers have been so impressed withthe results and that the team is now lookingat the use of additional grades in differentdunnage applications.” |
Two thermoplastic polyurethane(TPU) grades from Huntsman are helping to transform thetransportation of automotive parts,ensuring that expensive vehiclecomponents arrive at theirdestination damage free and clean –while saving original equipmentmanufacturers (OEMs) and carmakers significant amounts oftime and money.
TPU protects auto parts in transit
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Abrasive products are used for grinding,sanding, polishing and cleaning differentsubstrates in a wide range of domestic andindustrial applications. Typically used toachieve the perfect finish on materials, suchas metal, wood, leather, glass or ceramics,abrasives are most commonly employed inthe construction sector; in automotive andaeronautic production; in the optical industry;and by consumers undertaking DIY projects.
By using VITROX®ABR resins to bind mineraland synthetic grains to backing materials andwebs, such as paper, abrasive manufacturerscan gain greater control over resin-relatedsteps in the production process.
VITROX®ABR resins have a tunable set ofmechanical properties that can be adjusted toaccommodate various specific processingand performance parameters. With the abilityto fine-tune the viscosity, hardness andreactivity of resins to suit requirements, it ispossible to create high quality abrasiveproducts, while optimizing line throughput andreducing wastage. VITROX®ABR resins arealso free from hazardous classified solvents,another major benefit.
Other VITROX®ABR products are indevelopment and the HuntsmanPolyurethanes team is committed tobecoming a solution provider to the wholeabrasives industry. In late 2016, HuntsmanPolyurethanes commissioned a dedicatedabrasives laboratory at its European R&Dheadquarters in Everberg, Belgium. Thisinvestment will enable the business to extendits work into the field of bonded and coatedabrasives. Once open, the new laboratory willbe used for product development activities; tosupport customers in tailoring their solutions;and for customer training purposes.
Johan Van Tongelen, Adhesives GrowthProjects Director at Huntsman Polyurethanes,said: “Whether manufacturers are creatingabrasives for the treatment of glass, leather orwood or for polishing metals and ceramics,VITROX®ABR resins are easy to work withand offer a number of clear processing,performance and cost benefits. The reactionfrom customers who have trialed the productshas been positive, and we expect the resinsto prove popular now they are more widelyavailable to manufacturers across theabrasives industry.”
Huntsman is a member of the Federation ofEuropean Producers of Abrasives (FEPA). |
PU resins launched forabrasives industry
Polyurethanes experts fromHuntsman have launched VITROX®ABR technology – a novel range oftwo-component resins that canhelp make the manufacture ofabrasive products more timeefficient and cost effective, whiledelivering improvements in quality,performance and longevity.
VITROX®ABR 7600 High viscosity, rigid
VITROX®ABR 7400 High viscosity, flexible
VITROX®ABR 3800 Low viscosity, rigid
VITROX®ABR 2400 Low viscosity, flexible
Currently, there are four products in the VITROX®ABR technology range, which can offermajor processing and performance benefits in the manufacture of non-woven abrasives:
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Great Wall calls on Huntsman’slow emission expertise
For the last three years, Huntsman’s Chineseautomotive team has been engaged withGreat Wall on a number of projects. Together,the two companies have been looking at the development of low emission solutions for carpet backing, dashboard insulation,instrument panel, paper honeycomb, headrest and seating applications.
In China, as in other countries worldwide,there is a drive to improve in-car air quality.In 2016, the Chinese government releasedguidelines for in-car air quality, which areexpected to come into play as a newstandard in 2017.
To support vehicle manufacturers looking to meet new regulations, Huntsman
Polyurethanes has developed a fullrange of low volatile organic compound(VOC) application capabilities to supportthe automotive industry’s push to reduceemissions from interior materials.
The low VOC technology solution thatHuntsman offers to Great Wall is designedto bring down total VOC levels, includingformaldehyde and acetaldehyde emissions –a key requirement of the new standard that will be imposed by the government.Importantly, this low VOC solution enablesproduction efficiencies to be maintained at similar levels and can help with amine smell reduction. |
Further demonstrating its skills in the development of lowemission technologies for the automotive industry, HuntsmanPolyurethanes has been working with the Great Wall MotorCompany Limited – one of China’s largest sports utility vehicle(SUV) and pickup manufacturers.
YFJC is one of the China’s biggest automotive seat system manufacturers. Headquarteredin Shanghai, China, the business has more than 140 manufacturing bases anddevelopment centers worldwide, serving more than 30 customers across 15 countries andregions, including North America, Europe, Australia and Asia.
Huntsman Polyurethanes has built a long-term strategic relationship with YFJC. Since2009, Huntsman has won numerous awards from YFJC for innovation, best quality andbest supplier price. The company’s latest award – which recognizes supplier contributionsto the YFJC business – was presented at YFJC’s supplier meeting in early January 2017,the first meeting of its kind since the company was founded in 1997. Huntsman is the firstglobal chemical company to win the YFJC best supplier award.
Lane Ding, Senior Commercial Director, Huntsman Polyurethanes APAC and China CountryManager, received the YFJC award on behalf of his automotive colleagues. Lane said:“Huntsman has continuously showcased its innovative technologies and solutions in tenyears of cooperation with YFJC. A well-established leader in polyurethane foams, acousticsmaterials and elastomeric MDI-based polyurethane components, we have been one ofYFJC’s long-term suppliers and have grown to be a strategic partner. We look forward toexpanding our existing cooperation with YFJC, so we can develop new technologies andapplications in the field of automotive seating and explore new possibilities for innovation ina collaborative manner.” |[email protected]
Adding to the array of automotive trophies it has already accumulated,Huntsman Polyurethanes has won a best supplier award from theShanghai Yanfeng Johnson Control Seating Company Limited (YFJC) –for the second year running.
YFJC awards automotive teamwith best supplier award
Forthcoming events andtechnical presentations
List of forthcoming events:
For more information on the subjects covered in PU Reviewmagazine, please contact the editor:Eric Stebel, [email protected]+1 281-719-4602
While all the information and recommendations in this publication are tothe best of our knowledge, information and belief accurate at the date of publication, nothing herein is to be construed as a warranty, expressor otherwise.
ARALDITE®, AVALON®, DALTOPED®, IROGRAN®, JEFFOL®,smartLite®, TEROL®and VITROX®are registered trademarks of Huntsman or an affiliate thereof in one or more, but not all,countries. CASTECH™ is a trademark of Huntsman Corporation or an affiliate thereof.
Copyright © 2017 Huntsman Corporation. All rights reserved.
Designed and produced by: Chris Pearson creative communications.
Find us on:Facebook: www.facebook.com/huntsmancorpTwitter: www.twitter.com/Huntsman_CorpLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/huntsmanGoogle Plus: www.plus.google.com/106818920361803832093 YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/HuntsmanCorp
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The 35,000 square-foot UA Lighthousefacility was created to be the testinggrounds for developing new cutting-edgeproducts and efficiency manufacturingprocesses. The UA Lighthouse will provideUnder Armour’s external partners with thetools to develop processes andtechnologies that can then be used at otherUnder Armour facilities around the globe.
As part of the UA Lighthouse grandopening, Under Armour announced thatHuntsman is part of an exclusive list ofcompanies that will utilize the UALighthouse. Huntsman has been workingclosely with Under Armour on developing,testing and prototyping new polyurethane-based soling applications for its footwearproducts. The announcement was madevia an Under Armour press releaseannouncing the grand opening of its pre-production facility in Baltimore, Maryland.
“Huntsman is truly excited in UnderArmour’s interest in polyurethane footwearapplications. We believe the UA Lighthouseis a revolutionary facility that will driveinnovation in process technology,” saidJim McCloud, Footwear Account Manager,Huntsman Polyurethanes.
“Under Armour’s approach to openinnovation and collaboration can be seen inour strategic partnerships brought to lifewithin the UA Lighthouse,” said KevinHaley, President, Product and Innovation,Under Armour. “We are excited about thisgame-changing opportunity and theendless possibilities created by bringingtogether our talented team and our world-class partners, to pioneer the future ofdesign and manufacturing.” |
In June 2016, Under Armour announced the opening ofits new innovation center called the UA Lighthouse.
Under Armour selectsHuntsman to help driveinnovations in footwear
UTECH Las Americas, Mexico City, Mexico (4-6 April)
European Coatings Show (ECS) 2017, Nurnberg, Germany (4-6 April)
2017 Polyurethane Manufacturers Association (PMA) AnnualMeeting, Vancouver, BC, Canada (7-9 May)
NW Material Show, Portland, Oregon (16-17 August)
17th Annual Automotive Composites Conference andExhibition (ACCE), Novi, Michigan (6-8 September)
CPI Polyurethanes Technical Conference, New Orleans,Louisiana (2-4 October)
IWCS 2017 – The International Cable & ConnectivitySymposium, Orlando, Florida (8-11 October)
At Huntsman Polyurethanes, we believe that working in true collaboration with customers isthe only way to solve complex problems and find the solutions that will deliver real innovation.
So, we strive with a passion and determination to build the deep understanding of ourcustomers that’s required to get to the heart of their needs and establish lasting partnerships.
We provide customers with a wide choice of footwear solutions, based on many differentpolyurethane chemistries. From fully formulated grades and tailor-made polyesters topolyether-based systems and TPU grades, we give footwear companies the freedom to designinnovative shoes, boots and sandals in step with the latest fashion trends, manufacturingtechniques and environmental concerns. Combine our knowledge of polyurethanes with yourexpertise, and we'll create better footwear… together.
We create better comfort and durability. Together.
www.huntsman.com/pu
