The 2013 Polyurethanes Technical Conference, presented by the Center for the Polyurethanes Industry (CPI) of the American Chemistry Council, will showcase the important role polyurethanes play in environmental stewardship. Of the more than 70 technical presentations at this year’s conference, many focus on various aspects of the cross-section between polyurethanes and environmental stewardship. Registration is now open for the conference, which will take place Sept. 23 to 25 at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel.

“The many innovations in environmental stewardship that will be discussed at CPI’s conference this year are a reflection of how seriously the industry takes its commitment to reducing environmental impacts,” said Lee Salamone, senior director of CPI. “Technical advances in polyurethane chemistry continue to improve energy efficiency and reduce the environmental impacts of our products. These important advancements are a key theme of this year’s conference.”

The conference features a technical session on energy critical polyurethane foams using low global-warming potential (GWP) blowing agents as part of a blended formula.

BASF will examine haloolefins blowing agents and their impact on meeting overall energy efficiency mandates. DuPont, Whirlpool and Dow Chemical will present an evaluation of Formacel® 1100, a low-GWP and zero ozone-depletion potential foam expansion agent, and its use in residential refrigerators.

Evonik Industries will explore the challenges and benefits of blending blowing agents to obtain an optimum balance between low GWP, cost and performance.     

Dow will present an examination of its PASCAL foam technology and its advantages for improving the energy efficiency of cold appliances when combined with other new generation blowing agents.·      

Arkema and Bayer MaterialScience will discuss innovative blowing agent solutions, specifically the performance of a new line of low GWP agents developed by Arkema to address energy efficiency requirements for products and processes. Papers to be presented in all three construction sessions continue the environmental stewardship theme.

Dow will introduce a new generation of polyurethane foam technology designed for injection-under reduced-pressure that helps discontinuous panels’ producers.

Fomo Products will discuss a new generation of low-pressure froth pour-in-place foam technology that can be used for energy retrofits of existing residential and commercial walls.  

Honeywell will discuss the field performance of Solstice Liquid Blowing Agent, a new low GWP blowing agent for spray polyurethane foam, as well as the product’s use in pour-in-place and insulated metal panel applications.

DuPont will reveal the technical developments of a next-generation foaming agent, Formacel® 1100, emphasizing its application for spray polyurethane foam.

The Tosoh Corporation will evaluate the safety and environmental impact advantages and disadvantages of using hydrohaloolefin instead of hyrdrofluorocarbons as a blowing agent catalyst.

Air Products and Chemicals will introduce new catalysts that enable the use of low GWP blowing agents for spray polyurethane foam.

Solvay will discuss the properties of Solkane 365/227 blends in spray foam application that were recently approved by the Environmental Protection Agency for use in the U.S.

A third technical session also reflects the environmental stewardship theme, focusing on renewable content polyols.

Myriant Corporation will describe how practical polyols can be formed using a new range of renewable bio-succinic acids and diols that provide a high renewable content.

Reverdia will introduce the processing and performance of Biosuccinium, a unique, 100 percent bio-based renewable polyol polyurethane that also has a 90 percent carbon footprint reduction potential.

The National Research Council Canada will present the continuation of the development of renewable and non-food grade biopolyols, containing lignin for the production of rigid polyurethane foams.

Iowa State University will describe research conducted on the use of chitosan and polyurethane blends for waterborne dispersion, to achieve a more economic and environmentally friendly product.

Several sponsorship opportunities, including table top exhibition space, are still available.