Huntsman Launches New Low-Emission Polyurethane Systems

Huntsman Launches New Low-Emission Polyurethane Systems

Huntsman announced the introduction of a new range of low-emission MDI-based foam systems for automotive interiors: ACUSTIFLEX® LE and RUBIFLEX® LE polyurethane product lines. These innovative technologies enable global automotive formulators and foam manufacturers to produce high-performance polyurethane foams while significantly reducing interior emission levels to meet OEM requirements.

The automotive industry is continuously advancing toward sustainability targets as it addresses new regulations, including national laws in numerous countries, new international ISO standards, and policy action roadmaps such as the Circular Cars Initiative EU¹, which govern consumer preferences and vehicle interior air quality emissions from vehicle interior components.

With low-emission (LE) forward-looking technologies, Huntsman responded to the industry's challenge of reducing interior component emissions by integrating sustainability into its product lines. This brings cleaner, lighter, more circular PU technologies to manufacturers and drivers offering improved comfort.

The ACUSTIFLEX® LE and RUBIFLEX® LE low-emission polyurethane portfolio represents the first fully commercialized technologies on the market. These products have been developed for automotive seating components and acoustic insulation components. Commonly, they are used to produce a wide range of standard automotive components, simplifying supply and value chains for manufacturers capable of reducing the different PU products they need to source.

ACUSTIFLEX® LE and RUBIFLEX® LE materials are now available following testing at two European Huntsman technical centers and independent evaluations conducted by external laboratories. Additionally, they are in the final approval stage with many leading global OEMs and interior component manufacturers.

Luc Van Essche, Technology Development Leader at Huntsman, states that the new low-emission PU system is an innovation that benefits drivers, manufacturers, OEMs, and component manufacturers throughout the automotive value chain. Luc Van Essche says "We believe our innovation contributes to a safer and cleaner environment for everyone traveling inside a car.

Working together with our partners, we are contributing to transforming the transportation industry toward cleaner and safer mobility in a more carbon-neutral and circular society. From a commercial perspective, this new system helps formulators and foam manufacturers do better business by providing the performance levels required for processing polyurethane foams while significantly reducing emissions to help OEMs meet emission standards."

Low emission – high performance

Global emission standards impose strict low-emission limits on formaldehyde and acetaldehyde emissions. This means that some current foam technologies used today to manufacture automotive interior parts will be phased out.

Similarly, emission requirements for producing acoustic insulation are becoming more stringent. Current systems typically use a 'rapid cure' production process that results in increased emissions. With Huntsman's new low-emission technology, manufacturers can produce components that offer the same performance as currently used PU materials while contributing to reduced interior emissions, without requiring any changes to existing production chains.

Testing and validation of the new Huntsman system

Comprehensive test results validate that the Huntsman system meets the emission targets of leading manufacturers. The low-emission and odor properties of flexible foams made from Huntsman's new system were confirmed by accredited external testing institutes using volatile organic compound chamber measurement.

The evaluations confirm that these products can provide consistent emission results and product performance levels not previously possible for low-emission products. The mechanical and comfort performance of interior components made with ACUSTIFLEX® LE and RUBIFLEX® LE low-emission polyurethanes does not compromise when compared to current commercial systems.

These typical properties may vary depending on local conditions and application and are not part of ACUSTIFLEX® characteristics.

¹ ISO 12219_1:2011 'Road vehicles interior air - Part 1: Whole vehicle test chamber - Specification and method for the determination of volatile organic compounds in vehicle interiors. The Circular Cars Initiative EU policy action roadmap.