Technology

February 19, 2023

Wanhua Introduces Pallet Binder

Wanhua Chemical Launched a Molded Pallet Solution with MDI-based Binder

TIME :2023-02-17

Wanhua Chemical has introduced an MDI binder-based molded pallet solution. The molded pallets use wood and crop waste as raw materials, and are recyclable through shredding and pressing processes. 

The MDI-based binders provide high bonding strength and have higher moisture tolerance. Compared to conventional solution, the new solution significantly reduces the amount of binder usage.

During pallet production, the binder requires less heating for preparation, and required time for heat-pressing is reduced by 50%, thus saving electricity consumption and reducing carbon emissions.

The formaldehyde-free molded pallets reduce VOCs in production, benefiting the health of both workers and end-users.

The molded pallet with MDI binder provides a new option for logistics and packaging. Wanhua Chemical is committed to making its products more low-carbon, environment-friendly and high-performance, and becoming a supplier of high-quality solutions.

https://en.whchem.com/cmscontent/638.html

This is probably easier than trying to recycle wood pallets, with all the nails, etc.

August 5, 2022

CertiPUR-US® Announcement

Effective November 23, 2023, CertiPUR-US® Will Add Stannous Octoate to
List of Prohibited Substances in Foams Submitted for Certification

(Rochester Hills, Mich. – August 5, 2022) Effective November 23, 2023, the CertiPUR-US® foam certification program
will not certify foams submitted for certification that contain stannous octoate (CAS: 301-10-0), a tin catalyst that can
be used in the production of flexible polyurethane foam.


The trigger for the change was the recent reclassification of 2-ethylhexanoic acid (CAS: 149-57-5) and most of its salts,
including stannous octoate, to a Reprotoxic 1B with hazard statement H360D (“may damage the unborn child”) by the
European Commission, following an opinion from the Risk Assessment Committee of the European Chemicals Agency
(ECHA), an agency of the European Union managing the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of
Chemicals (REACH).


“Substances which are classified as ‘may cause cancer,’ ‘may cause genetic defects’ or ‘may damage fertility or the
unborn child’ are prohibited in CertiPUR-US certified foam,” said CertiPUR-US Executive Director Michael Crowell.
“Now that 2-ethylhexanoic acid and particular salts, like stannous octoate, have been classified under the Reprotoxic 1B
substances guideline, it will be prohibited from foams certified through the CertiPUR-US program.”


The effective date of November 23, 2023 is based on the European Union’s harmonized classification practices to allow
the industry to reformulate foams with alternative chemicals, a process that often requires significant changes in
purchasing, operations and production.


Based on a particular foam’s certification renewal date, some participating foam producers would be faced with making
the transition in 12 months while others would have more time. Crowell said the program would be flexible and fair —
but also transparent about the transition periods.


The CertiPUR-US program’s criteria for certification were established in 2008 based on REACH and other chemical
regulatory agencies, with guidance from chemists, environmental scientists and toxicologists, in conjunction with the
leadership of the foam, mattress and upholstered furniture industries. Certified foams are used in the production of
cushioning for home furnishings such as mattresses, pillows and upholstered furniture.


According to Crowell, the Technical Guidelines that detail criteria for certification have been updated numerous times
in the history of the organization. “Vigilant monitoring of chemical assessments and transparency are essential to
earning and maintaining consumer confidence in the integrity of the CertiPUR-US program,” he said.


More than 90 flexible polyurethane foam manufacturers from 18 countries currently certify more than 200 different
foam formulations through the CertiPUR-US program which is administered by the nonprofit Alliance for Flexible
Polyurethane Foam, Inc.


For more information, email info@certipur.us.

#

www.certipur.us

August 5, 2022

CertiPUR-US® Announcement

Effective November 23, 2023, CertiPUR-US® Will Add Stannous Octoate to
List of Prohibited Substances in Foams Submitted for Certification

(Rochester Hills, Mich. – August 5, 2022) Effective November 23, 2023, the CertiPUR-US® foam certification program
will not certify foams submitted for certification that contain stannous octoate (CAS: 301-10-0), a tin catalyst that can
be used in the production of flexible polyurethane foam.


The trigger for the change was the recent reclassification of 2-ethylhexanoic acid (CAS: 149-57-5) and most of its salts,
including stannous octoate, to a Reprotoxic 1B with hazard statement H360D (“may damage the unborn child”) by the
European Commission, following an opinion from the Risk Assessment Committee of the European Chemicals Agency
(ECHA), an agency of the European Union managing the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of
Chemicals (REACH).


“Substances which are classified as ‘may cause cancer,’ ‘may cause genetic defects’ or ‘may damage fertility or the
unborn child’ are prohibited in CertiPUR-US certified foam,” said CertiPUR-US Executive Director Michael Crowell.
“Now that 2-ethylhexanoic acid and particular salts, like stannous octoate, have been classified under the Reprotoxic 1B
substances guideline, it will be prohibited from foams certified through the CertiPUR-US program.”


The effective date of November 23, 2023 is based on the European Union’s harmonized classification practices to allow
the industry to reformulate foams with alternative chemicals, a process that often requires significant changes in
purchasing, operations and production.


Based on a particular foam’s certification renewal date, some participating foam producers would be faced with making
the transition in 12 months while others would have more time. Crowell said the program would be flexible and fair —
but also transparent about the transition periods.


The CertiPUR-US program’s criteria for certification were established in 2008 based on REACH and other chemical
regulatory agencies, with guidance from chemists, environmental scientists and toxicologists, in conjunction with the
leadership of the foam, mattress and upholstered furniture industries. Certified foams are used in the production of
cushioning for home furnishings such as mattresses, pillows and upholstered furniture.


According to Crowell, the Technical Guidelines that detail criteria for certification have been updated numerous times
in the history of the organization. “Vigilant monitoring of chemical assessments and transparency are essential to
earning and maintaining consumer confidence in the integrity of the CertiPUR-US program,” he said.


More than 90 flexible polyurethane foam manufacturers from 18 countries currently certify more than 200 different
foam formulations through the CertiPUR-US program which is administered by the nonprofit Alliance for Flexible
Polyurethane Foam, Inc.


For more information, email info@certipur.us.

#

www.certipur.us

July 14, 2022

Foamed Hytrel

Dupont Rolls Out Recyclable Hytrel Foam for Footwear, Furniture

By Arthur Friedman

DuPont Mobility & Materials launched the commercial availability of new closed-cell Hytrel foam created via supercritical fluid foaming.
The Newton Gravity 11 running shoe features a full-foot Hytrel foam insole for cushioning and responsiveness. CREDIT: Courtesy

DuPont Mobility & Materials announced the commercial availability of new closed-cell Hytrel foam created via a supercritical fluid (SCF) foaming process.

While a wide range of applications can benefit from the greater shock absorption and durability of new Hytrel foam, manufacturers of footwear, sporting goods, consumer goods, furniture, and wire and cable jacketing are expected to be early adopters of the new solution.

This fully recyclable material is the first foamed product in the Hytrel product family. It not only reduces environmental impact, but customers have also confirmed that it delivers up to 15 percent greater resilience and 20 percent less weight than thermoplastic urethane (TPU, E-TPU), polyurethane (PU) and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foams, the company said.

“It’s no secret that brand owners such as Newton Running Company are looking for more sustainable materials and production methods to counter climate change,” said Hilary Wang, marketing manager at DuPont Mobility & Materials.DuPont Mobility and Materials launched the commercial availability of new closed-cell Hytrel foam created via supercritical fluid foaming.

A close-up of Hytrel foam shows its closed cell structure.

These companies are also actively seeking a more sustainable process than chemical foaming, which is being restricted or even phased out in some countries, Wang noted. Unlike foamed materials that rely on chemical foaming agents, new Hytrel foam is produced using CO2 and N2 gases, which are found in the time-tested, proven SCF process, according to DuPont Mobility & Materials.

This process offers three benefits–no residues from chemical foaming agents in the final products, no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted so global warming potential is reduced, there are no odors or allergens present and the resulting foam is skin-contact compatible.

DuPont Mobility & Materials will showcase new Hytrel foam and other cutting-edge solutions and technology innovations at the upcoming K 2022 trade fair for the plastics and rubber industry. This international event, held once every three years, takes place Oct. 19-26 in Düsseldorf, Germany.

DuPont Mobility & Materials delivers a broad range of technology-based products and solutions to the automotive, electronics, industrial, consumer, medical, photovoltaic and telecom markets.

https://sourcingjournal.com/footwear/footwear-innovations/dupont-mobility-materials-recyclable-hytrel-foam-footwear-furniture-351069/

July 14, 2022

Foamed Hytrel

Dupont Rolls Out Recyclable Hytrel Foam for Footwear, Furniture

By Arthur Friedman

DuPont Mobility & Materials launched the commercial availability of new closed-cell Hytrel foam created via supercritical fluid foaming.
The Newton Gravity 11 running shoe features a full-foot Hytrel foam insole for cushioning and responsiveness. CREDIT: Courtesy

DuPont Mobility & Materials announced the commercial availability of new closed-cell Hytrel foam created via a supercritical fluid (SCF) foaming process.

While a wide range of applications can benefit from the greater shock absorption and durability of new Hytrel foam, manufacturers of footwear, sporting goods, consumer goods, furniture, and wire and cable jacketing are expected to be early adopters of the new solution.

This fully recyclable material is the first foamed product in the Hytrel product family. It not only reduces environmental impact, but customers have also confirmed that it delivers up to 15 percent greater resilience and 20 percent less weight than thermoplastic urethane (TPU, E-TPU), polyurethane (PU) and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foams, the company said.

“It’s no secret that brand owners such as Newton Running Company are looking for more sustainable materials and production methods to counter climate change,” said Hilary Wang, marketing manager at DuPont Mobility & Materials.DuPont Mobility and Materials launched the commercial availability of new closed-cell Hytrel foam created via supercritical fluid foaming.

A close-up of Hytrel foam shows its closed cell structure.

These companies are also actively seeking a more sustainable process than chemical foaming, which is being restricted or even phased out in some countries, Wang noted. Unlike foamed materials that rely on chemical foaming agents, new Hytrel foam is produced using CO2 and N2 gases, which are found in the time-tested, proven SCF process, according to DuPont Mobility & Materials.

This process offers three benefits–no residues from chemical foaming agents in the final products, no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted so global warming potential is reduced, there are no odors or allergens present and the resulting foam is skin-contact compatible.

DuPont Mobility & Materials will showcase new Hytrel foam and other cutting-edge solutions and technology innovations at the upcoming K 2022 trade fair for the plastics and rubber industry. This international event, held once every three years, takes place Oct. 19-26 in Düsseldorf, Germany.

DuPont Mobility & Materials delivers a broad range of technology-based products and solutions to the automotive, electronics, industrial, consumer, medical, photovoltaic and telecom markets.

https://sourcingjournal.com/footwear/footwear-innovations/dupont-mobility-materials-recyclable-hytrel-foam-footwear-furniture-351069/