AI Applications in Polyurethane Prepolymer Development

Chemists have previously been forced to rely on their expertise and years of experience when researching new polyurethane formulations with defined product properties such as hardness, tensile strength and viscosity. While this method has produced satisfactory results, the development and validation processes have taken so long that only a small number of new products could be developed over extended periods. Artificial intelligence is expected to be an important tool to help chemists expand their knowledge in this area and significantly reduce the number of required tests. Recognizing the benefits that artificial intelligence will provide, LANXESS is expanding its use of artificial intelligence in product development.

Specialty chemicals company LANXESS

LANXESS recently launched a project aimed at expanding its polyurethane prepolymer range. The project aims to provide customers with customized polyurethane systems with shorter delivery times, suited to different demands and including completely new applications. In this context, LANXESS Urethane Systems is leveraging artificial intelligence potential and is working with an artificial intelligence company expert in the field as a project partner. In the initial project phase, LANXESS expanded its database of prepolymer-based formulations. LANXESS data specialists and process specialists used a specialized artificial intelligence platform to add more data points to the company's formulation database. This application involved linking existing empirical measurement data with a chemistry-sensitive algorithm to calculate the knowledge of process experts and additional measurement values. This meant that only a few real-world measurements were needed to verify the figures determined by artificial intelligence. In the next step, data and process specialists at LANXESS will verify how reliably the most suitable formulations can be predicted with artificial intelligence assistance to meet customer-specific requirements for product properties. If the tests are successful, customer demands will be met faster and more effectively. LANXESS's existing formulation knowledge will be enhanced by artificial intelligence-supported formulation design. It will be possible to instantly identify whether and how products not yet in the product portfolio can be produced with the help of artificial intelligence. LANXESS already has some experience with artificial intelligence use. In a pilot project, specialty chemicals company LANXESS is using artificial intelligence to optimize glass fibers as a way to further enhance the properties of high-performance plastics. Artificial intelligence is expected to cut development times for the required formulations in half. This way, manufacturers will receive better, longer-lasting and customized products in shorter timeframes. Serkan İltan Cast PU Sales Manager Cast PU Sales Manager - Kimsel Kimyevi End. Hmd. A.Ş.