New Fire Retarding Building Materials Launched

A new technology for fire-retarding polyisocyanurate (PIR) sandwich panels will be launched by Huntsman (NYSE: HUN) at this year's UTECH Europe exhibition and conference (Maastricht, The Netherlands, March 31 - April 2, Huntsman stand 1210).

Using the trademark INSPIRE(R), the new technology will differentiate from competitor products by not requiring an adhesive layer between the foam and the steel facings. INSPIRE(R) PIR technology is characterized by an easy foam processing and a competitive density - both in line with European market requirements.

Nick Webster, European Vice President for Huntsman's Polyurethanes division said: "PIR sandwich panels currently have a small market share in the European sandwich panel market, but we expect this technology will grow rapidly in the coming years, driven by new fire legislation and insurance company requirements." He added: "New INSPIRE(R) PIR technology places Huntsman in an excellent position to take a significant share of this more specialised and higher quality panel business."

Huntsman will offer three different INSPIRE(R) PIR technology configurations with low, medium and high NCO-index, to suit customer needs. PIR foam has many of the traditional advantages of polyurethane foam, such as light weight, excellent thermal conductivity and moisture resistance, but with superior fire properties. PIR production involves a higher proportion of MDI, resulting in a thermally more stable product. Until the development of INSPIRE(R) technology, PIR adhesion to steel was more problematic than for polyurethane, hence the former need for an extra adhesive layer.

A paper on INSPIRE(R) PIR entitled "New INSPIRE(R) adhesive-free PIR technology for sandwich panels" and written by Alexander Abati, Domenico Stragapede, Josep Gimeno and Kristof Dedecker will be presented by Huntsman at the UTECH Europe conference at 15.50 hrs on Tuesday, March 31 (Rigid Foam Session A, Auditorium B).

In addition to INSPIRE(R) PIR, Huntsman's Polyurethanes division will be showcasing an extensive range of products and services for insulation, ACE, footwear, automotive, bedding and furniture and engineered wood products.

Six other papers will be presented at the UTECH Europe conference highlighting Huntsman novelties and improvements:

• "Recent developments in low emission catalysis for flexible foams" by Ron Herrington and Gabor Felber (Tuesday, March 31 at 16.10 hrs, Automotive Session, Auditorium A).
• "New MDI-based microcellular polyurethane elastomer technology for high-performance automotive suspension applications" by Hugo Verbeke and Oliver Kuisle (Tuesday, March 31 at 17.10 hrs, Automotive Session, Auditorium A).
• "Rheo-kinetics and fluid dynamics modelling for the pultrusion of PU composites" by Mark Brennan, Michael Connolly and Roel Van Boxel (Wednesday, April 1 at 11.00 hrs, Innovation Session, Auditorium B).
• "An analysis of the PU industry's contribution to sustainable development" by Shpresa Kotaji (Wednesday, April 1, 14.00 hrs, Safety, Health and Environment Session, Auditorium B).
• "Combustibility: beyond fire performance considerations" by Diane Daems (Wednesday, April 1 at 15.50 hrs, Safety, Health and Environment Session, Auditorium B).
• "New prepolymers for polyurea with increased resistance" by Geert Dries, Stijn Roekaerts and Thorsten Gurke (Thursday, April 2 at 10.20 hours, Polyureas Session, Auditorium B).