Dow Polyurethanes Reports Greater Than 95 Percent Conversion Rate in Trials of VORANOL™ VORACTIV™ Polyols
Sep 29, 2006
MIDLAND, Mich. -- As polyurethane foam producers look for simple, quick ways to reduce costs, increase production efficiency and improve the workplace environment, VORANOL™ VORACTIV™ polyols made by Dow Polyurethanes, a business of The Dow Chemical Company, are gaining more widespread acceptance across the industry. The business reports that more than 95 percent of customers globally who trial the product convert their operations to the highly efficient, low-amine emission polyols used to manufacture polyurethane foam.
Dow Polyurethanes next-generation technology enabled the development of VORANOL VORACTIV polyols, which feature a captive amine catalyst that significantly reduces worker exposure to volatile amine emissions. Since their introduction, customer trials have shown that VORANOL VORACTIV polyols enable manufacturers to simplify their production process, produce foam with a higher rate of product consistency, and dramatically reduce waste in the cut and trim process. According to customers, foam produced using VORANOL VORACTIV has thinner skins, smoother side walls, improved foam density and hardness distribution through the entire foam slab. In addition, VORANOL VORACTIV has lower sensitivity to changes in ambient temperature resulting in less cooling time for the foam. It is this combination of economic, environmental, production and performance benefits that has led to the high conversion rate among customers who trial the products. "Most manufacturers recognize that you just can't sustain a polyurethane foam operation these days without looking at ways to advance your processing technology," said Simon Waddington, regional market manager for Europe, Dow Polyurethanes. "VORANOL™ VORACTIV™ polyols offer them a worry-free way to see improvements in their operations quickly and with very little effort on their part. That's why our conversion rates are so high."
"Right now, we are working with several specialty foam producers in North America to validate and adapt VORANOL VORACTIV to fit their unique processing operations and the needs of their particular market," stated Kari Dawson-Ekeland, regional market manager for North America, Dow Polyurethanes. "We expect North American foam manufacturers will catch up to their counterparts in Europe, Latin America and Asia in terms of product trials and conversions to this superior product."
Foam made with previous generation polyols, where the amines are added during the production process, are often associated with unpleasant odors experienced by consumers who purchase goods made with foam, such as bedding and mattresses, and foam seating found in sofas, chairs and automobiles. Concerns over these odors have pushed many foam manufacturers to consider next generation polyols, such as VORANOL VORACTIV polyols, as a way to offer improved consumer benefits, while at the same time driving greater processing efficiency into their operations.
VORANOL VORACTIV catalytically active polyols rely on a proprietary and patented Dow process that grafts amine catalysts directly into the polyol, instead of requiring the use of a separate amine catalyst. This allows customers to eliminate or minimize a formulating step, resulting in lower additive costs and reducing or eliminating purchasing, handling and storage of amine catalysts. These polyols allow flexible slab and molded foam manufacturers to reduce amine emissions and dramatically reduce staining-, fogging-, and odor-causing agents from their polyurethane foams.
"Our goal is to convert the majority of our customers to VORANOL™ VORACTIV™ polyols over the next two to five years," said Waddington. "With this technology, the industry is headed in the right direction. Europe, Latin America and Asia are already well on their way to widespread adoption of this product, with North America positioned to join their ranks over the next two to five years."
About Dow Polyurethanes
Dow is the world's largest producer of polyether polyols, a leading producer of quality aromatic isocyanates, such as MDI and TDI, and a major supplier of propylene oxide, an essential component of polyether polyols. Dow's polyurethanes products and formulated systems are used in rigid foams, flexible foams, adhesives, sealants, coatings, and elastomers, as well as many other applications. Dow also offers the latest in polyol technology with its VORANOL™ VORACTIV™ polyols, part of an ongoing initiative by Dow to lead the industry in providing high-performance products with reduced VOC-emissions.
About Dow
Dow is a diversified chemical company that harnesses the power of science and technology to improve living daily. The Company offers a broad range of innovative products and services to customers in more than 175 countries, helping them to provide everything from fresh water, food and pharmaceuticals to paints, packaging and personal care products. Built on a commitment to its principles of sustainability, Dow has annual sales of $46 billion and employs 42,000 people worldwide. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted.
