Recticel and Covestro announced that the two companies are working closely together in developing solutions to make mattresses more sustainable and ready them for a circular economy. This includes the research of raw material technologies – from mattress production to end-of-life and beyond. At imm cologne 2020 furniture fair, Schlaraffia / Recticel Schlafkomfort GmbH will show such innovative and sustainable solutions at stands A010 and A011 in hall 5.2.

According to the Kassel-based German company Hübner GmbH & Co. KG, if a fire occurs in a train or bus – whether as the result of overheating, a short circuit or some external influence – it often takes some time before passengers can be evacuated. Therefore, vehicles must be constructed in such a way that passengers and personnel are not exposed to poisonous smoke and fumes during this period and that first responders are also not endangered. To this end, the company has developed a new polyurethane-based material. In case of fire, it turns into a frothy foam, preventing the spread of smoke and flames.

Perstorp announced the extension of its Ymer nonionic dispersing monomer product range for polyurethane dispersions (PUD). According to the company, in response to customer interest and in order to increase the formulation window, Perstorp is in the process of launching two new grades – Ymer N90, with a longer EO chain, and N180, with a shorter EO chain.

According to BASF, its expanded thermoplastic polyurethane (E-TPU) Infinergy created a real stir when it was launched on the market in the adidas Boost running shoe, because it introduced a completely new class of particle foams to the plastics market. Today, customers from a wide range of different industries use the material – from comfortable safety footwear and a dynamic tennis racket to a cushioning sports floor. At K 2019, the material was presented with a multitude of its applications and innovative approaches. Infinergy is used, for example, in the Vision Venture, a camper van from Hymer, as a step, bed edge and as a comfort element in the slatted frame.

According to Covestro, the manufacture of a shoe requires a multitude of work steps, some of which are carried out by hand. This makes production time-consuming and expensive. In the finished product, various materials are sewn together and glued together, so that it is virtually impossible to recycle them by type at the end of their useful life.

Lanxess announced that it is offering the next generation of Low Free (LF) isocyanate urethane prepolymers that can be formulated into resins for 3D printing (additive manufacturing). In order to create such resins, Lanxess works together with 3D printing companies. Based on Adiprene LF pPDI (para-phenylene diisocyanate) prepolymers, these resins are easy to process and safe for industrial manufacturers as well as for the casual home, office or retail user, said the company.

According to Covestro, the manufacture of vehicle parts made of composite materials instead of steel is a lightweight and therefore sustainable solution that reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. This also applies to commercial vehicles such as trucks, which are used heavily on a daily basis. Carbon Truck & Trailer GmbH (CarbonTT) designs truck chassis from carbon fibre-reinforced composites and has the know-how and various IP rights to manufacture and assemble them.

Plymouth Foam has launched a new line of dog toys under its Airehide brand which uses BASF’s Infinergy material. Infinergy is an expanded thermoplastic polyurethane (E-TPU) and is used in a variety of applications. According to BASF, the elastic particle foam can be used anywhere, where a combination of low weight, good mechanical properties, and long-term durability is needed.

Materialise has extended its 3D printing materials offering with the new Ultrasint TPU 01 from BASF. The company announced on 10 September 2019 that it is the first to make the new material available through its online platforms Materialise OnSite and i.materalise, and through its offline prototyping and manufacturing services.

Eos announced the launch of Eos TPU 1301. The company, one of the leading technology suppliers in the field of industrial 3D printing of polymers and metals, said that this material is a big step towards 3D printing mass production.