ADDITIVES FOR FLEXIBLE SLABSTOCK FOAM APPLICATIONS
We are a global leader in polyurethane additives for flexible slabstock applications. We work in close partnership with the comfort industry by providing optimized products, whilst targeting the lowest possible VOC emissions to generate ‘value’ for our customers.
POLYETHER
POLYESTER FOAM
Mainly used for flame-laminated fabrics in automotive markets, and other textile lamination applications, packaging, and filtration, polyester-based foams are often linked to certain technical applications. In contrast to polyether foams, polyester foams have a high natural stability against solvents, but lower stability towards hydrolysis. Polyester foaming requires a different set of additives. For foam stabilizers, the focus is much more on emulsification of the raw materials and less on stabilization compared to ether foaming. Amine catalysts need to support a sufficient cell opening of ester foams. We offer a broad range of silicone surfactants, organic surfactants, emulsifiers, amine catalysts and antioxidants for manufacturing flexible polyester foam.
All of these additives are NPE-free (Nonylphenol ethoxylates) and many are optimized for the common VOC and FOG testing criteria.
HR SLABSTOCK FOAM
HR foams are characterised by a higher elasticity compared to standard ether foams. The elasticity is measured by ball rebound experiments, or the comfort factor. HR foams are made from special HR polyols with higher molecular weight and higher reactivity. In addition to TDI, MDI is also used frequently as an isocyanate for HR foams. The cell strucutre often needs to be irregular to support the higher elasticity. This is achieved by a special type of foam stabilizer that targets a good cell opening and a cell structure that supports the elasticity. Our additives for HR foams help improve manufacturing, processing and the final foam characteristics, such as stability or cell size. Besides our products, we also offer expertise in developing formulations that meet low emission certificates., Additionally, our wide portfolio of ORTEGOL® products provide support for well-known production issues like cold-flow.
VISCOELASTIC SLABSTOCK FOAM
Used in the production of mattresses, topper pads, and pillows, Viscoelastic foams are characterized by a delayed recovery after compression and very low elasticity (ball rebound). These properties are obtained by a special polyol composition or a tight cell structure. The selection of foam stabilizers can be a tricky task for viscoelastic foams as the processing window is usually relatively narrow. We offer a full additives package for this application and expertise in meeting low emission certifications, with our QiGuang product ranges. Our well-known SiOC based silicones offer large processing latitudes in a wide range of TDI based formulations. We also provide additives for improved cell opening, and our portfolio additionally includes special products for MDI based formulations.
COMBUSTION MODIFIED FOAM
Across the various different foam applications, our customers often require combustion modified foams that are required to pass flammability tests for automotive (MVSS 302), or furniture combustion tests (e.g. BS 5852/Crib V). Usually, by the nature of the raw materials and additives, standard PU foams show high flammability, but by choosing flame retardants, special additives and silicone surfactants, the flammability and weight loss during burning can be dramatically reduced and combustion tests can be passed. Our team has decades of experience in developing modified PU foams, and our global connections help us to fully understand and help your products pass the flammability tests. Our portfolio also consists of additives and surfactants, designed specifically for applications in flame retardant foams. We also provide special ORTEGOL® products that can help improve the foam properties for flame lamination processes.
Additives for flexible polyether block foam – EUROPE