Bayer MaterialScience AG Expanding its Desmopan® Range of Thermoplastic Polyurethanes (TPUs) for Laser Marking
Oct 27, 2006
LEVERKUSEN -- Bayer MaterialScience AG is expanding its Desmopan® range of thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs) by adding grades with built-in additives for laser marking. The new grades will initially be used for animal identification tags. A wide range of ester- and ether-based Desmopan® grades are already involved in the production of these tags. "However, our new products are ideal for any application where high-quality and durable results are required for laser marking on TPU components. As a result, they have great potential in classic Desmopan® applications such as the automotive industry, cable manufacturing, sports and leisure," explains Luigi Cermesoni, segment head in the TPU Business Unit.
The composition of the new TPU grades was developed in partnership with DSM, and was based on the customized Micabs® additive technology specially developed by the DSM Laser Center for laser marking of thermoplastics. Laser marked samples based on the new Desmopan® grades including Micabs® will be available during the Fakuma exhibition in the Bayer MaterialScience stand (Hall B4, Stand no.: 303). These samples have been laser marked by Trumpf, the leading laser marking equipment manufacturer. More information about Trumpf lasers is available at their stand at the Fakuma (Hall A3, Stand no.: 3209).
"We offer our customers ready-to-use TPU materials for laser marking in our product portfolio. Previously, the processor had to incorporate these additives himself," remarks Cermesoni. The new Desmopan® grades have several advantages over the additive packages available on the market and TPU grades manufactured with these packages. For example, they enable faster, higher-definition, higher-contrast laser marking with more subtle grayscale levels. The laser marking results are more reproducible. "All in all, there are clear advantages over inkjet and pad printing," comments Cermesoni. The new TPU grades are also easy to use and cost-effective to process. They comply with regulations governing materials used in animal identification tags. "Of particular importance to our customers is the fact that incorporating the Micabs® additive does not adversely affect the exceptional properties and processing characteristics of Desmopan®," adds Cermesoni.
With sales of EUR 10.7 billion in 2005, Bayer MaterialScience AG is one of the world's largest polymer manufacturers. Its main fields of activity are the production of high-tech polymer materials and the development of innovative solutions for products used in many areas of everyday life. The main consumer sectors are the automotive, electrical/electronics, construction, sports and leisure industries. Bayer MaterialScience has production facilities at 40 sites around the world and a workforce of approx. 18,800. Bayer MaterialScience is part of the Bayer Group.
