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BASF Polyurethane System Honored for Innovation

Thursday, October 14, 2010

A polyurethane-based porous paving system that absorbs stormwater, minimizing polluted runoff into storm drains, has earned BASF the 2010 Innovation Award from the Center for the Polyurethanes Industry.

BASF’s FilterPave Porous Paving System combines a two-component polyurethane binder with post-consumer recycled glass to create a hard-surface pavement that captures stormwater, allowing it to slowly migrate into the soil. The pavement’s porosity also allows air and water to flow through, so it does not trap heat like conventional materials.

Used widely, BASF says, the system could keep billions of gallons of untreated stormwater out of lakes, rivers and oceans, and reduce the cost of treatment in sanitary sewer systems or local detention ponds.

“The Polyurethane Innovation Award shines a well-deserved spotlight on the companies and individuals that have brought innovative new solutions to the marketplace,” said Steve Russell, vice president, Plastics Division, American Chemistry Council.

King Industries, Industrial Nanotech Noted

BASF was recognized Wednesday (Oct. 13) at the closing session of CPI’s 2010 Technical Conference in Houston.

Other finalists for CPI’s first Innovation Award included King Industries Inc., producer of specialty chemicals for coatings, for its “K-KAT Tin/Mercury Free Catalysts” for urethanes, foams and cast elastomers; and Nanotech Industries Inc., for its “Green Polyurethane” (also known as HNIPU) product line that eliminates toxic isocyanates from polyurethane.

The entries were evaluated and finalists selected by a panel of judges representing a cross-section of polyurethanes experience and knowledge. Finalist entries were displayed during the conference, and attendees voted for those they believed showed the most innovative use of polyurethanes.

More than 750 scientists, engineers, manufacturers and business leaders from around the world attended the conference, which focused on advances in polyurethane materials and technology. 

Winning Technical Papers, Presentations

Judges also selected 17 papers and four posters for recognition at the closing session.

Among the Best Paper recipients was Heiko Tebbe, of LANXESS Deutschland GmbH, whose technical paper on “New Sprayable Polyurethane System for the Production of Fire Resistant Articles and Coatings” was recognized in the category of Flammability Performance and Flame Retardants.

Other award-winning papers included:

• “Reducing Environmental Impact for Spray Foam Systems,” Jean Vincent, Air Products and Chemicals Inc.

• “Novel Gelling Catalyst for Non-Emission Flexible Polyurethane Foam,” Takao Suzuki, Tosoh Corporation

• “Comparison of Gaseous and Liquid Low GWP Blowing Agents with HFC 134a and HFC 245fa in Rigid Polyurethane Insulating Foams,” Steven Schilling, Bayer MaterialScience, LLC

• “Graco Advancements in Single-Component Precision Dispense and Shot Metering Technology,” Nick Di Donato, Graco Inc.

For copies of the winning papers, or to order a copy of the Proceedings, visit  www.americanchemistry.com/polyurethane.

The American Chemistry Council (ACC) represents companies engaged in the business of chemistry.

The Center for the Polyurethanes Industry (CPI) of the American Chemistry Council promotes the sustainable growth of the polyurethanes industry. Its members include major producers and distributors of chemicals and equipment used to make polyurethane and manufacture polyurethane products.