Rigid and semi-rigid foam
4 Jul 2001
Eurotech has announced what it believes is a major breakthrough in the development of its hybrid non-isocyanate polyurethane (HNIPU) by producing a polyurethane foam.
HNIPU is a polyurethane that improves many of the performance properties of standard polyurethane, while eliminating the health and safety issues associated with isocyanates in the manufacture and application of conventional polyurethane.
Eurotech's Chief Scientist, Professor Oleg Figovsky, reports that foamed HNIPU has similar properties as conventional polyurethane foam and has commenced testing to ensure the HNIPU foam meets industry standards.
Ted Grochowski, General Manager of Eurotech's Advanced Performance Materials Division, claims that the HNIPU foam will about double the potential market for HNIPU.
The European market is moving towards a ban on isocyanate use in the foam insulation and packaging industry and will require the use of non-isocyanate materials. The $6 billion annual market for polyurethane in Europe is about half foam.
