April 17, 2024

The Holy Grail (Not Bikes, but Cars, and Not Just Tubes)

Market Prospects of TPU in Bicycle Tire Applications

PUdaily | Updated: April 11, 2024

Whether in terms of weight reduction or rolling resistance, inner tubes are one of the most cost-effective upgradable components on a bicycle. In response to the demands for weight and resistance reduction, TPU has been considered as a material for inner tubes. TPU inner tubes represent a new technological advancement in recent years. In 2020, Schwalbe introduced its Aerothan TPU Tubes, becoming one of the pioneering companies to launch TPU inner tubes. It also marks the official entry of this material into the commercial bicycle sphere.

Currently, the mainstream materials for inner tubes are butyl rubber, latex, and TPU.

Butyl inner tubes are the most widely used standard inner tubes in cycling. Made from elastic polymers, butyl inner tubes offer good stretch and rebound properties and are the most affordable option. Latex inner tubes fall in the mid-range in terms of cost, mostly produced from natural rubber. Latex rubber is more porous than butyl, meaning latex tubes lose air much more quickly. The price of latex tubes is typically 2-3 times that of butyl tubes.

TPU inner tubes are at the cutting edge and also the most expensive. As a flexible plastic, TPU excels in weight reduction. A typical butyl inner tube weighs around 140 grams (actual weight may vary slightly due to size and valve length), while a latex inner tube reduces that weight to approximately 85 grams. As for TPU inner tubes, the weight drops to just 25 grams. This means that the weight difference between two bicycles made of butyl rubber inner tubes and TPU inner tubes can reach up to 230 grams. This is why many professional cyclists opt for TPU inner tubes when competing.

Another obvious difference among different inner tubes is their rolling resistance. It’s found that the rolling resistance of the best butyl inner tubes still consumes about 3 watts more than TPU inner tubes and 4 watts more than latex inner tubes. In long-distance mountain climbing, a bicycle equipped with TPU inner tubes can increase power by 10 watts, equivalent to reducing weight by 2 kilograms.

Another trend nowadays is tubeless tires, which are tires without inner tubes. Compared to traditional clincher tires with inner tubes, tubeless tires have lower rolling resistance and better puncture protection. However, the high maintenance costs, difficulty in component assembly and replacement, and the risk of air leakage or even tire separation still raise concerns.

China’s bicycle output reached around 100 million units in 2023, reflecting a significant growth potential for TPU inner tubes. Furthermore, Aerothan road tires launched by Schwalbe in July 2023, which replace rubber with nylon-coated TPU material in cover tyres, achieve comprehensive upgrade in puncture protection and weight reduction, potentially opening up new applications for TPU in tires.

https://www.pudaily.com/Home/NewsDetails/46304

March 21, 2024

NEW Everpol MEG-380 AMG Initiated Polyether Polyol from Everchem

EVERPOL MEG-380 is an Alpha Methyl Glucoside-initiated polyether polyol polymerized with propylene oxide. The resulting material has a functionality of four and a typical hydroxl of 380. Due to the higher percentage of carbohydrate moieties when compared with sucrose carbohydrates on a similar weight basis, MEG-380 provides enhanced foam charring with improved compression sets. Main applications include low to high density rigid pour-in-place systems, however, EVERPOL MEG-380 may also be included as a component in flexible polyurethane foam formulations to build bio-content.

OVER 25% BIO-BASED | CHAR ENHANCER | 4-FUNCTIONALITY

Everchem has developed a new polyether polyol in conjunction with one of our long-term production partners that will provide unique advantages to your polyurethane formulation challenges.

EVERPOL MEG-380 Benefits:

• – Over 25% Bio Content as Alpha Methyl Glucoside (AMG) carbohydrate to meet the Certi-PUR Bio-Certification program.
• – AMG does not decompose like sugar carbohydrates during the polyol manufacturing process.
• – Improved compression sets with 4-functional structure.
• – Lower viscosity when compared with sugar polyols at similar carbohydrate loading.
• – Char enhancer with a higher percentage of carbohydrate moieties compared with sucrose carbohydrates on a similar weight basis.

EVERPOL MEG-380 Market Applications:

• – Low Density Rigid Systems with high water content – SPF, FIP packaging
• – High Density Rigid Systems with low level Aux Blowing Agents.
• – High Density Flexible Foam grades AND High Density Visco-Foam grades with high Bio-Content demands.

PROBLEM SOLVER MATERIAL

Get a quote or a sample of our new specialty additive MEG-380

March 18, 2024

Purple and Tempur Reach Agreement

PURPLE INNOVATION AND TEMPUR SEALY INTERNATIONAL REACH AGREEMENT

News provided by Purple Innovation, Inc.

12 Mar, 2024, 16:03 ET

Framework for Mattress Firm Partnership and Confirmation of Purple’s Patents

LEHI, Utah, March 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Purple Innovation, Inc. (NASDAQ: PRPL) (“Purple” or the “Company”), a comfort innovation company known for creating the “World’s First No Pressure® Mattress,” today announced that it has entered into a settlement agreement with Tempur Sealy International, Inc. (“Tempur Sealy”). The parties have agreed to a post-acquisition framework for Purple’s partnership with Mattress Firm Inc. (“Mattress Firm”), the nation’s largest mattress specialty retailer, subject to FTC approval of TSI’s acquisition of Mattress Firm, and amicably resolved their various intellectual property disputes. Purple is pleased to reaffirm its valid patent and trademark rights in and to its proprietary Hyper-Elastic Polymer® gel material, the key component in Purple’s GelFlex® Grid.

If the FTC does not object to Tempur Sealy’s acquisition of Mattress Firm, Tempur Sealy agrees that Purple will retain its current relationship with Mattress Firm for a minimum of twelve months, versus the two-month commitment in place previously. According to Rob DeMartini, CEO of Purple Innovation:

“Mattress Firm is an important and respected partner. We believe our Purple brand and products bring a high number of unique consumers into Mattress Firm stores. We appreciate working on an even playing field today and want to continue to work collaboratively with Mattress Firm. This agreement will give us time to explore expansion opportunities.”

Purple and Tempur Sealy have also agreed to amicably resolve all differences regarding their various intellectual property disputes. Although the specific terms of the deal are confidential, Purple retains all control and ownership over its brand, its patented mattress technology and its Hyper-Elastic Polymer and GelFlex Grid marks. That the parties were able to resolve their differences is a strong signal to the marketplace that Purple is an innovator in hybrid mattress technology and deter future threats to Purple’s business. DeMartini adds:

“The marketplace’s interest in gel technology recognizes the strength of what makes Purple’s unmatched sleep innovation disruptive and cutting edge, and the best way of delivering deep, uninterrupted sleep. We are pleased to focus on expanding Purple’s business and bringing the many benefits of our GelFlex Grid to more customers.”

About Purple
Purple is a digitally native vertical brand with a mission to help people feel and live better through innovative comfort solutions. Today Purple markets and sells its products through direct-to-consumer online channels, traditional retail partners, third-party online retailers, and Purple-owned retail showrooms. Purple designs and manufactures a variety of innovative, premium, branded comfort products, including mattresses, pillows, cushions, frames, sheets and more. Its products are the result of over 30 years of innovation and investment in proprietary and patented comfort technologies and the development of our own manufacturing processes. Our proprietary gel technology, Hyper-Elastic Polymer®, underpins many of our comfort products and provides a range of benefits that differentiate our offerings from other competitors’ products. For more information on Purple, visit purple.com.

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/purple-innovation-and-tempur-sealy-international-reach-agreement-302087189.html

February 5, 2024

Insulation Alternative

Whirlpool insulation creates waves

14th November 2023

USA: Home appliance manufacturer Whirlpool has introduced a new insulation technology which is up to 66% thinner and allows up to 25% more refrigerator capacity than conventional foam.

The new insulation, dubbed SlimTech, is described as a significant step forward in refrigeration technology, providing a more compact alternative to polyurethane foam. It is also said to create better temperature stability and could increase energy efficiency by up to 50%.

SlimTech employs a proprietary material that is vacuum-sealed within the door or sides of the refrigerator itself. It is said to reduce the wall thickness by up to 66% – allowing for up to 25% more capacity inside the refrigerator.

According to Whirlpool, the material used in SlimTech insulation technology also has the potential to be recycled, and says it is working to map out a path to reclaiming the material at a refrigerator’s end of use. While Whirlpool has not revealed the identity of the material, the company does hold a number of insulation patents based on silica-based materials.

“For years low recyclability due to polyurethane foam has created a significant barrier to making refrigerators more sustainable and reducing environmental impact,” said Pamela Klyn, Whirlpool Corporation executive vice president of corporate relations & sustainability. “This is an extremely important leap forward on the journey to a more circular approach to home appliances. Implementation of SlimTech insulation marks the beginning of the end for foam insulated refrigerators.”

Other potential benefits would include the ability to increase the thickness of SlimTech insulation to reduce thermal conductivity and allowing a refrigerator to be up to 50% more energy efficient.

Whirlpool claims that the SlimTech insulation can keep food fresh for longer by reducing temperature swings from door openings by cooling up to 30% faster.

Refrigerators with SlimTech insulation will be built at Whirlpool’s operation in Ottawa, Ohio. The company has invested $65m in the plant.

https://www.coolingpost.com/world-news/whirlpool-insulation-creates-waves/

January 25, 2024

PFA Call for Papers for the Spring Meeting

PFA Call For Papers, 2024 Spring Technical Program

Abstract Deadline: March 22, 2024

The Polyurethane Foam Association is accepting proposals for technical presentations for its Spring Technical Program, May 23, at the Vinoy Autograph resort in St. Petersburg, FL.

Authors must submit an abstract with request for presentation. Presentations must not exceed 25 minutes in length. A written paper and slide file are also required to become part of PFA’s online information library.

The Paper Selection Process

To be eligible for presentation, papers must have a non-commercial focus and specifically address topics related to slabstock or molded flexible polyurethane production, raw material developments, environmental performance, occupational safety, product evaluation, novel commercial applications, or production control, and be based on actual production applications.

Deadline for submitting an abstract for proposed presentation is March 22, 2024.

To submit a proposal or for more information, please contact Russ Batson by email (rbatson@pfa.org) or telephone (865.657.9840). Based on a program that includes at least 6 technical papers, the presentations will be scored to compete for a $500 Technical Excellence Award provided by the Herman Stone Family Endowment.