look what we did!Innovations From Polyurethane Manufacturers

The Polyurethane Story Behind Wisconsin’s Famed Foam Cheeseheads®

In 1987, Ralph Bruno hacked into the upholstery of his mother’s couch cushion. From the torn fabric, he pulled out the foam insert, sculpting it using a turkey carving knife into the shape of a triangular cheese wedge. He then added an inverted dome on the bottom of his creation so that it would fit atop his head. Later, he put holes in the foam to make the wedge vaguely resemble Swiss cheese and painted the entire thing a yellow-orange hue — like American cheese. 

The Reception

Bruno proudly wore his homemade headwear to a Milwaukee baseball game in response...

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In Hollywood, It’s Lights, Camera, Polyurethane!

In response to a demand from audiences for objects and scenery that look real, today prop houses, set designers and costumers are busier than they have been in years. Polyurethane is helping these creative artisans achieve the kind of authenticity on the big screen that movie-going audiences both desire and demand.

A CGI Backlash

For the past few decades, Hollywood has been experiencing a renaissance driven by computer-generated imagery (CGI). As the years have progressed, the technology has grown more and more advanced. Through CGI, it’s now possible to create huge cityscapes, entire worlds and — of course — all...

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2019 Polyurethane Innovation Award Honors Carbon’s New Football Helmet Technology

Polyurethane was first introduced in the 1930s. Since that time, it has gone on to impact and improve daily life for much of the world. Today, the bounds of polyurethane innovation continue to be pushed ever forward, thanks to the men and women working to bring the world the next big polyurethane scientific breakthrough.

The Polyurethane Innovation Award 

Each year, the Center for the Polyurethanes Industry (CPI) hosts the Polyurethane Innovation Award. The award highlights the role innovation plays in the polyurethane industry, recognizing the companies and individuals whose vision and perseverance help bring new products, technologies and initiatives to...

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Polyurethane Helps Make It a Spooktacular Halloween

In the race to have the spookiest house on the block, homeowners are deploying polyurethane-based decorations in their front yards. From jack-o-lanterns to witches to monsters of all kinds, polyurethane is showing up in all manner of Halloween home décor.

Decoration Spending Is Up

According to the National Retail Federation, Americans spent more than $9 billion in 2018 on Halloween. Of that amount, decorations was one of the largest spending categories, outpacing even candy sales.

This may be because in the spirit of one-upmanship, homeowners are turning to ever more elaborate decorations. Buyers in the market want home décor that...

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Shoemakers Turn to Polyurethane for Sustainable Manufacturing Solutions

To reduce waste, the footwear industry is embracing new polyurethane manufacturing solutions. Several manufacturers are introducing recyclable PU footwear and PU components used in the manufacturing process that can be generated from renewable resources like plant-based materials.

A Completely Recyclable TPU Running Shoe

Adidas has announced plans for The Futurecraft Loop; a shoe made entirely from thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). The whole sneaker right down to the laces is constructed using TPU and is completely recyclable.

At the end of their useful life, the Futurecraft Loop are simply boxed up and sent back to Adidas. Once at the production facility, the...

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Polyurethane Helps Motorcyclists Hit the Open Road

Warmer weather means more opportunities for motorcyclists to head out on the highway. Consider this roundup of ways that polyurethane is making the ride safer and more comfortable for motorcycle enthusiasts.

Clothing

In case of a spill, you want to put as many layers as possible between you and the road. This is the reason that many motorcyclists opt for leather jackets and pants, but enterprising manufacturers have taken it one step further. Today, a variety of pants, jackets and vests made specifically for riding contain rigid polyurethane inserts. Not only do these articles of clothing look like modern armor,...

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Polyurethane Footwear, A Great Fit in the Garden

April showers bring May flowers, but those blooms don’t just happen by themselves. Polyurethane footwear can lend a helping hand. Spring is the time of year when green thumb enthusiasts begin to spend more out in the garden, and since spring is a time for renewal your gardening outfit should be no exception – especially when it comes to footwear. If you are considering a new pair of gardening shoes or boots, opt for a pair made from polyurethane. Here are just some of the reasons you should choose polyurethane for traipsing around in the muck:

Keeping you light on...

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Polyurethane, It’s in Your Jeans

There is no denying America’s love affair with denim. If we look as far back as the 1870s, we see how this durable fabric helped grow the country, outfitting miners and cowboys alike.

Denim has become a staple of many American wardrobes. Designers and manufacturers are continually pushing the envelope, looking for new ways to make this fashion favorite more appealing by adding to its style and comfort.

One way they are achieving this is through the introduction of polyurethane into denim fabric. Polyurethane blends in denim can run anywhere from 2 to 10 percent. PU helps give jeans more...

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Polyurethane Skinsuits Help British Skeleton Athletes To Victory

In the world of elite women’s skeleton racing, the difference between staking a place on the podium or not, can come down to a matter of milliseconds. In a sport where fractions of time can make a huge difference, it is no wonder that athletes, trainers and coaches are constantly scouting for new ways to shave a few precious moments off run times.

Whether it is making uniforms sleeker or sleds more aerodynamic, today, there is a whole industry dedicated to the science of helping racers go faster. However, even with every team jockeying for a clear advantage, definitive improvements...

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