look what we did!Innovations From Polyurethane Manufacturers

Researchers Create New Algae-Based Polyurethane Production Method

Whether finding ways to extend the life of polyurethane materials or even make the manufacturing process more efficient, scientists and researchers are continually looking for new ways to make polyurethane more sustainable.

One group of researchers at University of California San Diego may have found a way. The team has created renewable polymers that use algae – a plant-like organism that makes food from sunlight via photosynthesis – as their basis.

If successful, the algae-based polymers will be used to create polyurethane found in a number of everyday household items, like couch cushions, office chairs and more.

The Department of...

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Polyurethane Takes the Fashion World by Storm

From the New York runways to glossy magazine covers, polyurethane-based faux leather and suede are all over the fashion world. They can be found in almost everything from accessories and handbags to clothing items like shoes, jackets and pants.

Material Innovation

As polyurethane-based alternatives to products like suede and leather become ever more innovative, the fashion industry has taken notice. 

More than a Vegan Alternative

Designers are not only offering these products to consumers as a vegan alternative. Many fashionistas are finding that incorporating polyurethane into the designs provides a superior product for the consumer. These items, made from polyurethane...

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Polyurethane Helps Create Resilient, Green Building Products

During the past decade, consumers moved towards eco-friendly products. However, today, it is not enough simply to have environmentally sound offerings, a company’s products have to be resilient as well, meaning they have to be able to stand up to the elements.

Nowhere is this more important than in the construction industry, where designers, policymakers and engineers face the difficult task of rebuilding in areas prone to natural disasters like hurricanes and flooding.

With a renewed focus in the construction industry on creating energy efficient and durable products that are also resilient, there is an interest in products like closed-cell...

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Ten Fascinating Facts About Wind Energy

Covestro Makes Greenhouse Gas a Raw Material for Polyurethane

Polyols are a key component in the creation of the high-grade polyurethane foams that are used in everything from mattresses to running shoes. And fossil fuels are required to make polyols. But polyurethane manufacturer Covestro has uncovered a way to replace one-fifth of this raw material with carbon dioxide (CO2) — a waste gas that has been linked to global warming. By both reducing the dependence on fossil fuels and recycling this waste gas, Covestro is helping to create a more sustainable manufacturing process.

Covestro converts CO2 using a special catalyst that reacts with propylene oxide without the need for...

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Closing the Loop: Polyurethane Recycling for A Sustainable Future

Polyurethanes contribute to sustainable outcomes in many ways. One of the most important ways in which we can protect our natural resources is by reducing waste through reuse and recycling. Many manufacturers today are working toward a closed-loop supply chain, in which new products are made entirely from recycled materials. As a highly recyclable substance, polyurethane is playing a major role in this effort.

Polyurethane is recycled in one of two ways: either mechanically, in which it’s reused in its polymer form, or chemically, in which it’s broken back down into its chemical components. Some common uses for recycled polyurethane...

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Happy Sustainable New Year!

If your New Year’s resolutions include reducing your carbon footprint, polyurethane can help.

Waste Less Food

At the store, polyurethane packaging keeps food fresher, longer. At home, your polyurethane-lined refrigerator extends food life even more. Buying an energy-efficient refrigerator helps you reduce your impact on the environment even more.

Use Less Energy

From lighter-weight vehicles that reduce our reliance on fossil fuels to the insulation in your walls that can help cut heating and cooling needs, polyurethane can help you save energy.

Conserve Natural Resources

Using composite materials can contribute to energy efficiency and help conserve timber, stone, and...

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Polyurethane Goes Camping

Camping is a great way to get acquainted with the great outdoors and spend quality time with loved ones. Having the right camp gear can help ensure your experience goes smoothly.

Camping tents coated with polyurethane are devised to be strong and water- and abrasion-resistant all while being lightweight. These incredible qualities can be very attractive to camping aficionados who are looking for a material that will withstand many of nature’s elements.

Having a comfortable sleeping bag or sleeping pad for the hard ground is also essential to your trip. Polyurethane foam is found in many sleeping bags and pads...

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Polyurethane Helps Clean our Waters

Scientists at Argonne National Laboratory have invented a sponge adapted from common polyurethane foam that reportedly absorbs up to 90 times its weight in oil! This invention promises to help make offshore oil clean ups a lot faster and easier.

The Oleo Sponge may be a game changer in the absorbent technology industry. They say it can be rung out and reused, and can also absorb oil regardless of whether it is on or below the water surface. Scientists even believe that the oil collected from the sponge can be used again. The Olio Sponge inventors anticipate the innovation...

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