look what we did!Innovations From Polyurethane Manufacturers

A Circular Lifecycle for Mattresses

Old mattresses have long been a visible symbol of a wasteful and linear product lifecycle. More than 50,000 are discarded every day in the U.S., and illegally dumped mattresses are a blight on the landscape. But it doesn’t need to be that way. More than 80% of a mattress can be recycled — including any polyurethane foam components. 

Through its “Bye Bye Mattress” program, the Mattress Recycling Council has recycled more than 6 million mattresses in the past five years. Hotels, hospitals, mattress retailers and individual consumers can take advantage of these recycling programs. While mattress recycling facilities exist...

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How Polyurethane Memory Foam Could Help You Sleep More Soundly

Since it was first introduced by NASA in the 1960s to help launch astronauts comfortably into space, polyurethane memory foam has found its way out of the Space Program and into our mattresses. Today, as memory foam mattresses increasingly make up an ever-larger portion of the market share, even some traditional mattresses that use springs contain some amount of memory foam.

If you are still on the fence about this Space Age technology, consider this roundup of ways polyurethane memory foam might just help you get a better night’s sleep. 

Absorbing Partner Disturbances

We often share our beds with significant...

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Looking for a Career Path with Promise? PU May Be Right for You!

If you’re one of the 80 percent of students who change their declared major or begin their college careers undeclared, listen up: a future in polyurethane may be right for you. The polyurethane industry is poised for growth over the next few decades and, as mentioned before in this blog, polyurethane is an essential contributor to the U.S. economy in ways that reverberate throughout the supply chain. 

There are several options for you to consider as you look to embark upon a viable and rewarding career:

Research & Development

Are you an idea person willing to work tirelessly to get...

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These Inventors Created Durable, Comfortable Doggy Beds Using Polyurethane

Two imaginative entrepreneurs are using polyurethane to create a more durable, comfortable dog bed after a mutual love of dogs brought them together. Sandra Baumeister and Katja Dalhöfer are friends who launched their doggy product line in 2017.

Today, their brand, StyleSnout®, features a range of fashionable, high-quality dog beds, harnesses and accessories. 

A New Kind of Dog Bed

Recently, Baumeister and Dalhöfer began work on a new kind of dog bed dubbed “The Island.” Their design features a circular bed with tall, soft sides and a small depression in the center, where dogs can burrow in for a...

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Six Summer Favorites Made with Polyurethane

Whether you choose to drift lazily down a river in a tube or rule the pool atop a giant swan, your conveyance is probably made with polyurethane. Polyurethane is great for floats because it’s lightweight and flexible enough to form almost any shape, but durable enough to last all summer long.

Before they were made with lightweight polyurethane foam cores, surfboards were manufactured with heavy plywood, weighing up to 10 lbs.

Polyurethane coatings help protect your favorite lawn chair or beach recliner from the wear and tear of summer weather. Just don’t...

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Polyurethane’s Valentine’s Day Gift List

If you’re still looking for a present for that special someone, allow polyurethane to provide a few options.

Electronics — Give your Valentine a gift that keeps him or her connected. From the latest smartphone or watch to personal fitness trackers, polyurethane compounds help protect high-tech devices from moisture, thermal shock and vibrations.

Active Wear — If your Valentine is the sporty type, go for a new long-sleeved top, hoodie or jacket made from polyurethane fibers. You’ll keep your honey warm and comfortable on cold workout days.

Pillows — What’s better than the gift of a good night’s sleep? Memory...

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Head South for the Winter with Polyurethane

If chilly weather has you dreaming of the sunshine, there’s no better way to escape than to head south on the water. Today’s high-performance boats rely on polyurethane in a number of ways. First, polyurethane coatings and sealants help seal hulls and resist water, weather and other maritime damages. Maintaining a smooth and well-sealed exterior helps keep boats more hydrodynamic, allowing them to move through the water faster.

On board, polyurethane can make a boat as comfortable as home with flexible polyurethane foams used in components ranging from seat cushions and carpet padding to bedding materials. Best of all,...

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Secrets of the Perfect Piecrust

It’s National Pastry Day, and incredible polyurethane holds the key to making your next pastry crust the envy of any baker. The secret is in your refrigerator. In fact, it IS your refrigerator! Cold ingredients are key to great pie crusts. And of course, polyurethane is great for keeping your refrigerator and freezer sealed and insulated so ingredients stay their coldest.

After you’ve rolled out your crust and placed it in a pie dish, place it in the fridge for 20 to 30 minutes which allows the gluten in the flour to relax (settle?).  This will help keep your...

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Polycarbonate Diols Help Make Leather Tough and Soft

Leather jackets, shoes and furniture are often coated with a layer of polyurethane in order to protect the fabric from stains and give it a glossy shine. However, manufacturers often struggle to find a balance between providing stain resistance to things like creams and beverages and creating the supple feel and fabric flexibility that consumers want. Polycarbonate diol technology helps producers perform this balancing act.

Polycarbonate diols supply flexibility and softness to polyurethane leather finishes and artificial leather coatings. In addition, these polycarbonate diols make polyurethane coatings highly resistant to heat, UV rays, water, chemicals, stains, abrasions and solvents, and...

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