The Urethane Blog
June 9, 2021
Polyurethane Foam Association Returns To In-Person Meetings
With Event In St. Petersburg
Conference Covered Issues Including Pandemic Recovery, Raw Material Supplies, And
Regulatory Challenges
ST. PETERSBURG, FL (June 7, 2021)—The Polyurethane Foam Association (PFA) recently
resumed hosting a live meeting for its members in St. Petersburg, FL, celebrating its 40 th
Anniversary and a strong rebound in orders for foam products.
PFA’s two-day meeting in late May was a “hybrid,” featuring live attendance at the Vinoy
Renaissance Hotel and digital streaming of its sessions to members who could not attend in
person. Overall attendance was near pre-pandemic levels.
Attendees included foam manufacturers, chemical suppliers, equipment makers, and other
companies supporting the industry. Discussions covered pandemic recovery, regulatory
proposals, end-user markets, and technical innovations. Particular attention was focused on
trends in the automotive markets and in challenges related to raw material supplies.
PFA also took the occasion to mark its 40 th Anniversary, a celebration postponed from last year
because of COVID-19. PFA created a video history of the association, which can be viewed at
www.pfa.org/40th-anniversary.
“Our members were very happy to be back to an in-person meeting, with the ability to network
and renew old friendships,” noted Chip Holton of NCFI Polyurethanes, PFA’s President. “I think
everyone senses the excitement of getting back to business practices that we sometimes took for
granted.”
A series of technical papers were pre-recorded and included in the meeting, with an afternoon
session dedicated to their discussion. “It was very encouraging to see the quality of this Spring’s
technical offering,” noted Bill Gollnitz of Plastomer, who moderated the Technical Session
remotely. Topics included novel silicone surfactants, Dow Chemical’s RENUVA™ foam
recycling technology, polyether polyol additives, and solid additives to increase the efficiency of
flame retardant systems.
Vasilios Dounis of Repi was recognized with the Herman Stone Technical Excellence Award, as
voted on by meeting attendees. His presentation was entitled “Non-FR Synergistic Additive can
Reduce FR Loading and Improve FPF Physical Performance.” Finishing a very close second in
voting was Melissa Kern of Momentive, who presented “Novel Silicone Surfactant With
Improved Foam Properties For Conventional Foam.”
“During the pandemic, PFA worked hard to make sure its members were provided with
information and tools needed to support their businesses, but it is refreshing to be able to get
together once again with our friends and colleagues,” said Russ Batson, PFA Executive Director.
“As we emerge from this unprecedented separation, we already see PFA members working
closely together again in strong support of the flexible polyurethane foam industry.”
Batson also recognized a new PFA member in attendance, Charter Next Generation of Milton,
WI, a manufacturer of high performance films. Two other first-time attendees, Concentrol and
Hexion, made technical presentations.
The Polyurethane Foam Association is a trade association founded in 1980 to help educate foam
users, allied industries and other stakeholders. PFA provides facts on environmental, health and
safety issues and technical information on the performance of FPF in consumer and industrial
products. FPF is used as a key comfort component in most upholstered furniture and mattress
products, along with automotive seating, carpet cushion, packaging, and numerous other
applications.
To learn more, visit www.pfa.org.
June 9, 2021
Bio-BDO venture by Cargill and Helm
9 June 2021 – 0 Submitted by Andrew Warmington
Agribusiness giant Cargill and German chemical marketing and distribution firm Helm have formed a joint venture called Qore and will invest $300 million to build the first commercial-scale, renewable 1,4-butanediol (BDO) facility in the US. This will be located at Cargill’s biotechnology campus and corn refining operation in Eddyville, Iowa, and should be in operation in 2024.
Qore has licensed Genomatica’s BDO process technology and is using Cargill’s global feedstock supply and fermentation manufacturing expertise to produce at least 65,000 tonnes/year, under the brand name Qira. Helm will work with brand owners, OEMs and their suppliers to incorporate Qira into their products.
Qira is made via the fermentation of plant-based sugars and it is claimed, can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 93% compared to the manufacture of the same chemical intermediates from fossil sources. Applications include fibres, biodegradable plastics, polyurethane coatings, sealants and artificial leathers.
https://www.specchemonline.com/bio-bdo-venture-cargill-and-helm
June 9, 2021
Bio-BDO venture by Cargill and Helm
9 June 2021 – 0 Submitted by Andrew Warmington
Agribusiness giant Cargill and German chemical marketing and distribution firm Helm have formed a joint venture called Qore and will invest $300 million to build the first commercial-scale, renewable 1,4-butanediol (BDO) facility in the US. This will be located at Cargill’s biotechnology campus and corn refining operation in Eddyville, Iowa, and should be in operation in 2024.
Qore has licensed Genomatica’s BDO process technology and is using Cargill’s global feedstock supply and fermentation manufacturing expertise to produce at least 65,000 tonnes/year, under the brand name Qira. Helm will work with brand owners, OEMs and their suppliers to incorporate Qira into their products.
Qira is made via the fermentation of plant-based sugars and it is claimed, can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 93% compared to the manufacture of the same chemical intermediates from fossil sources. Applications include fibres, biodegradable plastics, polyurethane coatings, sealants and artificial leathers.
https://www.specchemonline.com/bio-bdo-venture-cargill-and-helm
Dow to build MDI distillation and prepolymers facility in Freeport
Marcy de Luna, Houston ChronicleJune 9, 2021Updated: June 9, 2021 11:29 a.m. Comments
The chemical maker Dow said Wednesday that it will build a methylene diphenyl isocyanate distillation and prepolymers facility at its manufacturing site in Freeport, and shut down its polyurethane assets at the company’s La Porte site.
Methylene diphenyl isocyanate is a chemical used primarily to manufacture polyurethane. Polyurethanes are used in foams, insulation, textiles and automotive manufacturing.
Upon completion of the new Freeport MDI facility in 2023, the company will shut down its polyurethane assets at the La Porte site, according to the release.
Dow, headquartered in Michigan, operates a facility in Deer Park as well as the 139-acre facility in La Porte, which has 225 Dow employees.
In 1985, Dow purchased the La Porte facility, built in 1960 by the Carwin Company of North Haven, Conn., to produce isocyanates, used in the production of automobiles, boats, athletic footwear, home insulation, appliances, clothing, ice chests, cosmetics, pet food, pharmaceuticals, toothbrushes, dyes, paints and vitamins.
In 1962, the La Porte facility was purchased by the Upjohn Company and expanded to include polyurethane production.
Jane Palmieri, president of Dow’s Industrial Intermediates & Infrastructure operating segment, said in the release that the integration of MDI at the company’s Freeport site “creates a cost competitive supply of key upstream polyurethane raw materials, ensures a reliable supply position to support our growth in downstream high-value polyurethane markets and delivers a more sustainable production process.”
Palmieri also said the investment further enables Dow to support downstream systems customers’ growth.
Dow to build MDI distillation and prepolymers facility in Freeport, Texas
Capacity to support and advance downstream systems growth in construction, consumer, and industrial systems markets; Dow to exit and shut down its polyurethane assets at La Porte, Texas operations
Midland, Mich. – June 09, 2021 – Dow (NYSE: DOW) announced today plans to build an integrated MDI distillation and prepolymers facility at its world-scale manufacturing site in Freeport, Texas. This investment supports increasing demand for downstream polyurethane systems products and advances Dow’s leading positions in attractive applications in construction, consumer, and industrial markets that are growing above GDP.
The new Freeport MDI facility will replace Dow’s current North America capacity in La Porte, Texas, and will also be capable of supplying an additional 30 percent of product to Dow’s customers. In coordination with the start-up of the new MDI facility, expected in 2023, Dow will shut down its polyurethane assets at the La Porte site.
“This MDI investment optimizes our existing asset infrastructure and enhances our global polyurethanes leadership position, further enabling us to support downstream systems customers’ growth,” said Jane Palmieri, president of Dow’s Industrial Intermediates & Infrastructure operating segment. “The back integration at the Freeport site creates a cost competitive supply of key upstream polyurethane raw materials, ensures a reliable supply position to support our growth in downstream high-value polyurethane markets and delivers a more sustainable production process.”
The new facility in Freeport will reduce Dow’s carbon footprint and water usage by:
- eliminating the need for the generation of thermal power by utilizing existing thermal energy from the Freeport site,
- reducing water intake and wastewater discharge (through production efficiencies), and
- eliminating the need for transport of raw materials.
Dow’s extensive Polyurethane Systems franchise upgrades key polyurethane components in order to produce rigid, semi-rigid and flexible foams, and coatings, adhesives, sealants, elastomers and composites for applications that range from industrial and infrastructure solutions, to consumer comfort solutions in flooring, furniture, bedding and footwear, to automotive solutions for vehicle interior, and energy-efficient insulation materials.
Dow to build MDI distillation and prepolymers facility in Freeport
Marcy de Luna, Houston ChronicleJune 9, 2021Updated: June 9, 2021 11:29 a.m. Comments
The chemical maker Dow said Wednesday that it will build a methylene diphenyl isocyanate distillation and prepolymers facility at its manufacturing site in Freeport, and shut down its polyurethane assets at the company’s La Porte site.
Methylene diphenyl isocyanate is a chemical used primarily to manufacture polyurethane. Polyurethanes are used in foams, insulation, textiles and automotive manufacturing.
Upon completion of the new Freeport MDI facility in 2023, the company will shut down its polyurethane assets at the La Porte site, according to the release.
Dow, headquartered in Michigan, operates a facility in Deer Park as well as the 139-acre facility in La Porte, which has 225 Dow employees.
In 1985, Dow purchased the La Porte facility, built in 1960 by the Carwin Company of North Haven, Conn., to produce isocyanates, used in the production of automobiles, boats, athletic footwear, home insulation, appliances, clothing, ice chests, cosmetics, pet food, pharmaceuticals, toothbrushes, dyes, paints and vitamins.
In 1962, the La Porte facility was purchased by the Upjohn Company and expanded to include polyurethane production.
Jane Palmieri, president of Dow’s Industrial Intermediates & Infrastructure operating segment, said in the release that the integration of MDI at the company’s Freeport site “creates a cost competitive supply of key upstream polyurethane raw materials, ensures a reliable supply position to support our growth in downstream high-value polyurethane markets and delivers a more sustainable production process.”
Palmieri also said the investment further enables Dow to support downstream systems customers’ growth.
Dow to build MDI distillation and prepolymers facility in Freeport, Texas
Capacity to support and advance downstream systems growth in construction, consumer, and industrial systems markets; Dow to exit and shut down its polyurethane assets at La Porte, Texas operations
Midland, Mich. – June 09, 2021 – Dow (NYSE: DOW) announced today plans to build an integrated MDI distillation and prepolymers facility at its world-scale manufacturing site in Freeport, Texas. This investment supports increasing demand for downstream polyurethane systems products and advances Dow’s leading positions in attractive applications in construction, consumer, and industrial markets that are growing above GDP.
The new Freeport MDI facility will replace Dow’s current North America capacity in La Porte, Texas, and will also be capable of supplying an additional 30 percent of product to Dow’s customers. In coordination with the start-up of the new MDI facility, expected in 2023, Dow will shut down its polyurethane assets at the La Porte site.
“This MDI investment optimizes our existing asset infrastructure and enhances our global polyurethanes leadership position, further enabling us to support downstream systems customers’ growth,” said Jane Palmieri, president of Dow’s Industrial Intermediates & Infrastructure operating segment. “The back integration at the Freeport site creates a cost competitive supply of key upstream polyurethane raw materials, ensures a reliable supply position to support our growth in downstream high-value polyurethane markets and delivers a more sustainable production process.”
The new facility in Freeport will reduce Dow’s carbon footprint and water usage by:
- eliminating the need for the generation of thermal power by utilizing existing thermal energy from the Freeport site,
- reducing water intake and wastewater discharge (through production efficiencies), and
- eliminating the need for transport of raw materials.
Dow’s extensive Polyurethane Systems franchise upgrades key polyurethane components in order to produce rigid, semi-rigid and flexible foams, and coatings, adhesives, sealants, elastomers and composites for applications that range from industrial and infrastructure solutions, to consumer comfort solutions in flooring, furniture, bedding and footwear, to automotive solutions for vehicle interior, and energy-efficient insulation materials.
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