September 2012

R E P O R T I N G T H E W O R L D O F P O LY U R E T H A N E S F O R O U R C U S T O M E R S

Talking about TPU The right time for Asia expansion International investments Powerful partnerships Turning the tide for wave power Promising new life cycle data

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PU briefing September 2012

Investing for Growth with Customers Worldwide Tony Hankins, President, Huntsman Polyurethanes In the last issue of PU Review, I talked about the megatrends that are challenging our planet, but at the same time offer many growth opportunities for MDI-based polyurethanes. There are no quick or easy solutions to addressing megatrends. What’s required is a long-term vision and sustained investment. In the following pages, you’ll read many examples of how Huntsman Polyurethanes is performing on both fronts. The main feature of this issue focuses on thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) – a highly versatile material in which Huntsman has a strong and growing capability. In recent years, Asia Pacific – and China in particular – has become the largest market for TPU and it’s a key pillar of our global growth ambitions. We’re therefore delighted that the Chinese government has recently approved our plans to build a TPU production facility in Shanghai. You’ll also see stories about our recent investments in Indonesia, Russia and Poland, as well as studies for a planned investment at our world-scale MDI facility in Geismar, Louisiana. Each of these is testament to our great confidence in the long-term growth opportunities for MDI-based polyurethanes.

Huntsman creates Warsaw Service Center To strengthen the capabilities of its Polyurethanes and Performance Products businesses across Central and Eastern Europe, and the Baltics, Huntsman has opened a service center in Warsaw, Poland. With a fast-growing economy and increasing demand for MDI across Poland, Warsaw is a logical location for a commercial gateway into Eastern Europe. Situated in the city’s business district, close to the airport and Huntsman’s major local customers, the service center includes a sales office, an analytical laboratory and a meeting facility. A warehouse will also open on site in due course. | The address of the new site is: Huntsman (Poland) Sp. z o. o., ul. Szyszkowa 7, 02 - 285 Warszawa, Poland. Tel: 00 48 22 8258826. [email protected]

Thanks for your input For more information on the subjects covered in PU Review magazine, please contact the editor: Ilse Vanden Brande, [email protected], +32 (0) 2 7589420 While all the information and recommendations in this publication are to the best of our knowledge, information and belief accurate at the date of publication, nothing herein is to be construed as a warranty, express or otherwise. AVALON®, DALTOPED®, IROGRAN®, SUPRASEC®, VITROX® and VYDRO® are registered trademarks of Huntsman or an affiliate thereof in one or more, but not all, countries. The tradenames below are registered trademarks of the following companies or their affiliates in one or more, but not all, countries. ALBODUR® is a registered trademark of Alberdingk Boley GmbH; TerraThane™ is a registered trademark of NCFI Polyurethanes. Copyright © 2012 Huntsman Corporation. All rights reserved. Designed and produced by: Chris Pearson creative communications.

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A big thank you to everyone who responded to our reader survey in the previous edition of PU Review. Your feedback about our magazine was gratefully received by those individuals involved with its production. Respondents were extremely positive about the format and content of the magazine so for the foreseeable future we’ll continue as we are, creating a publication that brings you a round up of key news stories and industry updates twice a year. If you have any further suggestions or comments, please feel free to contact our editor: [email protected] In the meantime, the lucky winner of the iPhone4 that was up for grabs was Magdy Talate, Vice President of LymTal International. |

Russian JV now fully owned by Huntsman

New systems house in Indonesia Huntsman has opened a systems house in Indonesia focused on specialities and differentiated products. The plant – located at the company’s Gandaria site, near Jakarta – has been purpose-built to produce pre-polymer and polyol blends for Indonesia’s fast-growing MDI systems market, with a particular focus on insulation, automotive and footwear applications. Commenting on the new facility, which has a fully equipped technical laboratory to test and develop new products, Vincent Wang, Vice President for Huntsman Polyurethanes in Asia Pacific, said: “Our new systems house reflects our long-term commitment to the local market and enables us to significantly improve our support to customers. Over the past few years we’ve strengthened our team in readiness for the new facilities and we’re now in a position to offer a more solutions-oriented approach.” The new systems house officially opened in July as part of Huntsman’s first ever customer conference in Indonesia. The twoday event was themed ‘Innovative Solutions

for Society’ and was attended by more than 200 people from six ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries. At the inauguration, senior management – including Jon Huntsman Jr., Board Director of Huntsman Corporation, and Tony Hankins, Huntsman’s CEO Asia Pacific and President of Huntsman Polyurethanes – formally opened the plant and congratulated the project team for constructing the facility in just ten months, with no lost time injuries. | [email protected]

In July, Huntsman announced that it had purchased the remaining proportion of Russian joint venture Huntsman NMG (HNMG), giving it full ownership of the company. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. HNMG is a leading supplier of polyurethane systems to the adhesives, coatings and footwear markets in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. Tony Hankins, President of Huntsman Polyurethanes, said: “The Russian Federation is recognized as an important and fast growing economy, with double digit growth rates predicted for polyurethane products. This investment will give us greater access to high value coatings, adhesives and elastomers markets through an established, state-ofthe-art operations platform that will enhance our ability to provide differentiated solutions for our customers.” | [email protected]

Awards for Asian automotive team

Engineering design studies underway at Geismar

Beating its competitors hands down, Huntsman was the only polyurethanes provider to receive best supplier prizes in 2011 from Yanfeng Visteon, Yanfeng JCI and Pelzer China.

In August, Huntsman Polyurethanes announced that it has commissioned engineering design studies to increase its global capacity for manufacturing methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) through investment at its Geismar site in Louisiana.

Founded in 1992 by SAIC and Ford, Yanfeng is one of the biggest suppliers to the automotive manufacturing market, supplying trim, seating, electronics and car safety devices.

Tony Hankins, President of Huntsman Polyurethanes, said: “We are studying several options for expansion of the Geismar facility to ensure we can satisfy strong demand in residential and commercial insulation, and maintain our position as the leading MDI supplier in the Americas region. With the benefits of shale gas, the economics of investing in our American facilities has improved significantly. The global market for MDI urethanes is expected to continue to grow strongly well into the next decade, and the proposed investment in the United States will complement our previously announced planned expansion in China.” |

Pelzer China is part of the HP Pelzer Group – a leading supplier of custommade acoustic solutions and trim parts for vehicles. | [email protected]

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Partnership’s perfect chemistry set to deliver more renewable products Five years after Huntsman Polyurethanes teamed up with renewable resource-based polyol producer Alberdingk Boley to co-develop solutions for the coatings market, the two companies are taking their alliance to a new level – targeting applications in the adhesives and elastomers markets. One of the target markets is adhesives for parquet flooring.

When the two companies originally announced their informal partnership in 2007, their shared vision was to champion product innovation in the floor coatings market. The aim was to collaboratively develop new concepts for two-component polyurethane coatings, free from volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Today, innovative solutions based on advanced MDI SUPRASEC® technology from Huntsman Polyurethanes and Alberdingk Boley’s ALBODUR® range of polyols, castor oil-based and solvent-free products are helping to deliver high performance coatings solutions to customers in Europe, America and the Middle East. The products improve ease of use and deliver many technical and operational advantages as well as complying with strict environmental regulations. Widely used in hospitals, offices, factories, warehouses and other industrial or heavy-duty environments they are particularly

Adding value through adducts Huntsman Polyurethanes has signed a cooperation agreement with Budapest-based Polinvent, a research-intensive enterprise that has recently developed and patented a range of novel amine-epoxy adducts. Together, the two companies will explore the benefits that can be derived from incorporating Polinvent adducts into polyurethane and polyurea coatings as well as other adhesive and elastomer products. Under the terms of the agreement – which covers research, development, manufacture, trade and intellectual property rights – Huntsman will have exclusive access to Polinvent adducts for an initial three-year period. During this time, the two companies will seek out new application opportunities and create new adducts for industrialization. | [email protected]

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useful where high-wear resistance and low-maintenance are essential requirements. Ian Rimmer, Commercial Manager Coatings EAMEI for Huntsman Polyurethanes, said: “Five years ago, our partnership with Alberdingk Boley was a huge step forward for product development in the coatings sector. Bound by a mutual commitment to help the industry progress, we demonstrated that our combined technical support and expertise can significantly benefit flooring customers and coating formulators around the world, taking the market in new directions. Now we will replicate this successful model across adhesive and elastomer applications, co-developing solutions based on renewable resources while offering mechanical properties such as low viscosity and high hydrophobicity.” | [email protected]

Asian building boom boosts OSB production In the previous issue of PU Review we reported that Huntsman Polyurethanes had helped Leenderson – a Beijing-based manufacturer of green building materials – establish the world’s first production facility for oriented strand straw board (OSSB). This edition we are pleased to highlight further growth in the Asian composite wood product (CWP) industry. Back in 2009, Huntsman Polyurethanes helped Hubei Baoyuan establish China’s first production facility for oriented strand board (OSB). The manufacturing plant uses a special polyurethane binder from Huntsman that enables large-diameter logs from poplar and pine trees to be used in the production of high-quality, structural composite panels. Today, those panels are employed in furniture and flooring applications across China. Hubei Baoyuan has also started exporting its products to Japan, where the construction industry is booming in the wake of the 2011 earthquake / tsunami. Across Japan, major rebuilding programs are underway and solutions that can help simplify the construction process and improve the energy efficiency of buildings – such as OSB and insulating spray polyurethane foam (SPF) – are in great demand. | [email protected]

Promising new life cycle data for polyurethanes precursors ISOPA, the European Diisocyanate and Polyol Producers Trade Association, has published encouraging results in its fourth update on the environmental life cycle assessment (LCA) of methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and short- and long-chain polyether polyols. Latest figures show significant improvements in the environmental footprint of both MDI and TDI – developments that will help improve the profile of polyurethane-based products and systems. Findings were unveiled at UTECH 2012 by Shpresa Kotaji, Huntsman Polyurethanes’ LCA and Sustainability expert and ISOPA’s Sustainability Cluster leader. The wider Huntsman Polyurethanes team also contributed to the research, providing production data from the company’s Rotterdam site. Figures were combined with input from other polyurethane precursor producers to create average life cycle profiles that were representative of 2010 production realities. Individual reports and associated data sets are available for download from the Plastics Europe website: http://www.plasticseurope.org/plastics-sustainability/eco-profiles.aspx | [email protected]

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Teamwork helps launch Green Span Profiles’ metal panel production Huntsman Polyurethanes teamed up with Green Span Profiles to launch the company’s insulated metal panel (IMP) production line at its Houston-area manufacturing facility. Experts from the business helped Green Span optimize its IMP production process by providing the newest pentane-blown polyisocyanurate (PIR) foam technology, implementing thorough employee training programs, and conducting proper physical property foam testing.

Benefits of insulated metal panels IMPs are sturdy, high-performance building components for wall and roof sheathing applications. Consisting of coated steel facings with a rigid polyurethane foam core, they provide a strong building enclosure; create air, water and vapor barriers; and offer long-term thermal stability. Their high insulation values can also significantly improve a building’s energy efficiency and reduce heating and cooling costs. Industrial, commercial and institutional applications for IMPs include cold storage facilities, manufacturing plants, shopping centers, schools, hospitals and sport arenas. In each of these areas, IMPs can accelerate project completion without compromising quality. Panels are a single-manufactured unit and can be installed in nearly any weather condition. Furthermore, because IMPs combine multiple components (metal skins and insulation), additional steps to add insulation or a vapor or moisture barrier can be eliminated.

“We were confident in our decision when we chose Huntsman Polyurethanes as our supplier for the chemicals required to make IMPs.” Kelly Ginn, President of Green Span

Sharing experiences

A true collaboration

During 2011, Green Span constructed a 70,000 square foot manufacturing facility northwest of Houston, Texas. As the company began the trial phase of production, representatives from Huntsman Polyurethanes were on hand to assist with set-up and train Green Span personnel on product handling and safety issues.

From the start a true collaborative relationship between the two companies was evident. This emerged during the initial phase, which included a review of the planning and design aspects, support from Huntsman Polyurethanes’ plant personnel at Geismar, Louisiana, as well as the definition of future commercial terms. Huntsman Polyurethanes offered extensive experience of the insulation components of IMPs. While Green Span shared its insight on the metal processing element of IMP manufacture – a combination that made for a seamless start up.

Huntsman Polyurethanes supplies Green Span with the chemical raw materials and technology to produce PIR foam – the core-insulating layer of the steel-faced panels. Observing and interacting with company leaders and employees on the panel line, Huntsman Polyurethanes made recommendations to standardize and streamline the start of each production run and enhance regular process and quality controls. Kelly Ginn, President of Green Span, said: “We were confident in our decision when we chose Huntsman Polyurethanes as our supplier for the chemicals required to make IMPs. From planning and initial receipt of chemicals to commissioning and start-up, the company’s personnel met or exceeded our expectations. We found them exceptionally knowledgeable, responsive and eager to assist.”

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The manufacturing facility opened in Q1 2012 and a customer open house took place in April with representatives from Huntsman Polyurethanes in attendance to talk about PIR foam and its growth in the construction industry. From the initial design phase to employee process and safety training, product stewardship and final panel property tests, Huntsman and Green Span worked together to boost efficiency across the full spectrum of its IMP manufacturing processes. | [email protected]

Turning the tide for wave power Harnessing wave energy from the sea has long been a dream for the renewables energy sector. Yet for years, mechanical problems have been too great a barrier. But now, with the help of Huntsman Polyurethanes, a wave power machine being pioneered in Denmark by WEPTOS could make marine electricity economically viable. The WEPTOS WEC (wave energy converter) is a V-shaped structure that employs a proven method to extract wave energy in a completely new way. Through its floating angular construction, the two-armed machine constantly adapts to changing wave conditions to regulate energy input and reduce impact during rough weather. WEPTOS absorbs wave energy through a line of rotors (ducks) linked to a generator. Critical to success is the overall weight and strength of the machine. It must be light enough to float on the surface, able to withstand the most extreme maritime conditions and capable of continual adjustment to optimize wave energy extraction. To help meet these challenges Huntsman Polyurethanes’

technical experts worked closely with WEPTOS to develop a polyurethane foam for use in the machine’s molded rotors and to line its steel pipes. Rigorous tests – supervised by Aalborg University’s Wave Energy Research Group – were highly successful and set a new world record for capturing wave energy. The next step is to construct and test a full-scale model with 80 rotors, each filled with polyurethane foam. If all goes to plan, the tide could at last turn in favor of wave energy. | [email protected]

Huntsman joins Green Freight Europe Mindful of its own carbon footprint, Huntsman Polyurethanes has joined Green Freight Europe, a consortium of international shippers and transport carriers that voluntarily work together to monitor and reduce the environmental impact of European road freight. Green Freight Europe helps companies calculate and monitor their CO2 emissions, logging information and collating it for analysis through a central database. The data is then used for comparative and benchmarking purposes – helping to determine guidelines for industry best practice.

U.S sites receive EHS awards Two Huntsman Polyurethanes sites in North America have received awards from state officials, acknowledging their independent health and safety achievements. At Auburn Hills the business has been presented with a Platinum Consulting Education and Training (CET) Award from the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA). The award recognizes that the site has achieved more than 15 years without a lost-time incident and has implemented a comprehensive safety and health management system. In Louisiana, at Geismar, the business has received the 2012 Environmental Leadership Program (ELP) Large Business Achievement Award from the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ).

Launched in Brussels in the presence of the European Commissioner for Transport and other key policy makers, Green Freight Europe’s founding members include Heineken, IKEA, DHL, TNT and Proctor & Gamble. By the end of 2012 the group hopes to have attracted more than 250 member companies. |

Introduced in 1995, as a cooperative effort between LDEQ and local companies, the award program commends voluntary pollution prevention efforts and environmental achievements. The Geismar site was recognized for introducing a boiler efficiency improvement scheme that resulted in significant energy conservation and reduced environmental emissions. |

http://www.greenfreighteurope.eu/

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Talking about TPU The Chinese government has approved Huntsman’s plans to build a new thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) production facility in Shanghai, China – a move that will strengthen the business’s global capability.

PU Review spoke to Jan Verstraeten, Global Business Director of Huntsman Polyurethanes’ TPU strategic business unit (SBU), to explore the popularity of this aspect of polyurethane chemistry and find out why the time is right for expansion in Asia.

PU R: What are the applications and benefits of TPU?

PU R: How big is the market for TPU and how would you characterize it?

JV: TPU is often described as the material that bridges the gap between plastics and rubber. Its applications and benefits are numerous. Outperforming almost all other thermoplastics in terms of abrasion and wear resistance, TPUs are highly elastic. They can stretch many times beyond their own length without breaking, have very good tensile strength at high elongations and can return to their original shape again and again without deterioration. In addition, TPUs can be highly transparent, are fully recyclable and can withstand the influences of water and UV light.

JV: Studies indicate that the global TPU market is slightly less than 450 kilotons. This is relatively small for a plastic but it is a growing and extremely interesting area of our business. The sector has been exceptionally resilient in the face of economic uncertainty with stable margins throughout different and sometimes difficult financial periods.

Combined, these attributes make TPU a popular material with engineers and designers around the world. Some of the most common applications include footwear, cabling, hydraulic and pneumatic seals, scratch protection films for car paintwork, bulletproof glass plus waterproof garments and high-end sportswear.

PU R: When did Huntsman Polyurethanes enter the TPU market? JV: The corporation has had a stake in the TPU market for many years through its AVALON® TPU brand, which is used across the footwear industry. Wider involvement in the development of TPUs for industrial applications came about with the acquisition of the Rohm & Haas thermoplastics business in September 2000. This increased the scope of Huntsman’s polyurethanes portfolio to include popular products such as IROGRAN® TPU.

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Feature

PU R: When it comes to geographical markets for TPU, are there any differences?

TPUs can be highly transparent, are fully recyclable and can withstand the influences of water and UV light.

JV: The needs of individuals who source TPUs are pretty universal – regardless of segment or location. They want quality materials to help maximize efficiency and meet the needs of their customers. But there are of course prevailing applications in every region. Footwear TPUs are sold globally but are more popular in APAC. The majority of TPUs for seals are bought in Europe. While solutions for paint protection films are primarily sold in the U.S.

PU R: What stage is the build at? JV: Earlier this year we received Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approval from the Chinese government to build the plant. Securing this consent is one of the most important steps in building and operating a manufacturing facility in China. Groundbreaking is scheduled for midSeptember and we expect the plant to be fully operational in Q3 of 2013.

PU R: What can you tell me about your plans for a new TPU plant in Asia? JV: We already have TPU manufacturing sites in Europe, at Osnabrück, Germany, and in the Americas at Ringwood, Illinois. Building a facility in Asia is the next logical step. Our investment in Shanghai is a key part of our global growth ambitions. APAC, and China in particular, has become the largest market for TPU and demand keeps on growing. Having a plant in the region will increase our global capacity, allow greater economies of scale and enable us to grow our share of the local market faster, better and in line with the changing needs of TPU customers across Asia.

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Talking about TPU Feature

The market for TPU is extremely technical so innovation and the ability to respond to the needs of individual customers is essential.

PU R: That all sounds extremely positive. But what key challenges do TPU manufacturers face at the moment? JV: Well, honestly, I believe we are very fortunate. We see a lot of tailwind for TPU. Unlike many other plastics, TPU is recyclable, does not contain halogens and can often be produced without the use of plasticizers. It has the potential to displace other plastics such as PVC in many applications, for example wire and cable and medical devices. Footwear producers are also looking for additional ways to use TPU instead of other materials. Aside from external economic factors, our main challenge is deciding which opportunities to pursue. There are so many different segments, applications and potential projects to explore. The hardest part is being strategic and selecting those areas of business where there is the best possible return on investment. It’s also important not to become complacent. We have to be mindful of growing competition from existing and emerging TPU producers. We also have to watch other cheaper plastics. At the moment many of these cannot meet market demands but research investments are gradually enhancing their capabilities and in time, some could become a real threat.

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PU R: When it comes to innovation, what TPU developments are in the pipeline? JV: The market for TPU is extremely technical so innovation and the ability to respond to the needs of individual customers is essential. Our development programs are exploring future market needs in traditional segments. We also have projects where the aim is to displace other plastics in the same market segment or enter completely new sectors, ensuring that the benefits of TPU are experienced for many years to come. See opposite to read about the latest TPU developments or go to www.huntsman.com/pu to find out more about the team’s work. |

Plasticizer-free TPU extends footwear range AVALON® 60 AE-ESD is a new, plasticizer-free, soft thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) that provides the bonding strength and mechanical properties required to more easily make highquality footwear on roundtable casting machines. Developed to meet growing market demand for a soft footwear outsole capable of reaching a hardness of 60 Shore A, AVALON® 60 AE-ESD TPU can offer improved speed and strength of bonding to polyurethane midsole materials used in double density constructions. Extensively tested and proven for production of all types of high quality footwear, AVALON® 60 AE-ESD TPU is particularly well suited to the rigorous demands of the safety footwear sector. Combining softness with flexural strength, it is designed to make shoes and boots that are comfortable yet hard wearing enough to withstand challenging conditions. It also fulfils the exacting requirements of safety shoe standard DIN EN ISO 20345.

Cables strengthened with IROGRAN® TPU

With none of the bonding problems or disadvantages typically associated with plasticizer migration, AVALON 60® AE-ESD TPU offers many other technical benefits including electro-static dissipation, and abrasion, slip and flexural fatigue resistance. Eliminating the risk of plasticizer migration also improves the aesthetic appearance of footwear by removing the risk of visible plasticizer marks on footwear soles that could form an unsightly white or oily layer. |

IROGRAN® A75E 5040DP is a new thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) that can be extruded to create cables and power leads for computers, laptops and other non-invasive devices used in medical environments such as doctors’ surgeries, clinics and hospitals.

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The product was formulated by Huntsman Polyurethanes to meet the requirements of cabling producers such as Sun Round Technology – a China-based TPU cable specialist that works with some of the world’s leading original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). With good tensile strength, which makes it supple and elastic, IROGRAN® A75E 5040DP is a reliable cabling solution with a soft, rubber-like feel. Importantly, it is also resistant to alcohol and trichloroisocyanuric acid (TCCA). This ensures that cables and other computing peripherals made from the material can be cleaned with sterile, antibacterial gels without losing their physical integrity – a necessity in medical settings where equipment needs to be disinfected regularly. | [email protected]

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Pepsi plant uses polyurethane foam from NCFI Huntsman Polyurethanes congratulates NCFI Polyurethanes, a key U.S.-based systems house customer, for its latest innovative solution. NCFI is an industry leader in the formulation and manufacture of rigid and flexible polyurethanes, and its TerraThane™ Geotechnical Polyurethane Foam has been used to repair an uneven concrete floor at a Pepsi Bottling Group facility in North America. PU Review found out more about this project.

Everyone knows that the ground naturally shifts over time. But when this happens under the floors of factories and warehouses – such as the Pepsi Bottling Group facility in Nashville, Tennessee – concrete slabs can become uneven, transforming joints into mini-speed bumps.

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To solve the problem at Pepsi, Bolton’s company applied TerraThane™ Geotechnical Polyurethane Foam.

Forklift truck drivers will tell you that this makes for a bumpy ride when transporting pallets – a problem that can affect quality, particularly in the beverage industry. Facing this issue, Pepsi called in Mid-South Concrete Leveling based in Milan, Tennessee.

“Geotech polyurethane foam is a low-impact, reliable means for stabilizing concrete joints,” said Bolton, who has been using TerraThane™ for more than a year. “We cleaned out all the joints, removed the debris, drilled a series of holes every three to four feet, and pumped TerraThane™ into the gaps. Once the joints and any cavities were filled, Pepsi was so pleased that they asked us to patch another 130 feet of cracks.”

“When we first went into Pepsi, they initially thought the concrete slabs would need lifting,” said Eddie Bolton from Mid-South. “This would have been a costly job. But we soon realized we could undertake a process called joint stabilization.”

Bolton says his company chose TerraThane™ because it is faster, requires less set-up time (generally reaching 90% strength within 15 minutes of injection), needs very little clean-up after work is complete, and offers long-term stability.

Concrete floors in factories are generally cut into smaller slabs shortly after the concrete is poured. The cuts create control joints that separate a large concrete floor into smaller squares. Over time, the earth beneath the concrete slabs can erode, creating voids that make the slabs uneven. Heavy machinery traffic travelling over unsupported slabs can cause them to rock up and down. This can jar forklift trucks, causing discomfort for drivers and costing the plant money if product gets ruined. Eventually, breaks or fractures called ‘joint spalling’ can occur.

“Our geotechnical polyurethane foam systems are formulated to perform under the most adverse and demanding conditions,” said Patrick Burchett, Geotechnical Product Line Manager for NCFI. “Our contractors have extremely high expectations when it comes to selecting and using any one of our systems and we rely on Huntsman Polyurethanes to help make that happen.” | [email protected]

VYDRO® substrate reduces vineyard carbon footprint When a famous Italian wine estate wanted to create a living wall, Huntsman Polyurethanes’ innovative smart water management system – VYDRO® substrate – made the vital difference. For at least 500 years the Tuscan town of Montepulciano has produced some of Italy’s most renowned wines. But in an increasingly competitive international market, partners at the 113-acre Salcheto Estate considered their old wine cellar too small and inefficient. Wanting to create a building that would help reduce the environmental impact of producing 350,000 bottles of wine each year, while complementing picturesque local surroundings, Salcheto worked with Siena University to design a winery optimized for sustainability. Combining the local traditions of fine wine production with the most advanced

technology, the solution was a thermoinsulated cellar that would minimize heating requirements in the winter and avoid the need for air conditioning in the summer. This was achieved – in part – through water irrigation on the roof and a vertical garden on the external walls to shield the building from direct solar radiation. Green architecture specialists Poliflor specified VYDRO® substrate as an integral part of the vertical garden system. Lightweight and with excellent water retention properties, VYDRO® substrate can be cut to size and easily attached to walls. Once in situ, a layer of coconut matting is placed over the substrate, with pockets cut out for planting a range of herbaceous indigenous species. An irrigation system is then fitted to optimize moisture levels. Installed in late 2011, the living wall is among sustainability measures that have enabled the winery to reduce its energy needs by 54%. It has also contributed to the creation of the first European carbon footprint standard for a bottle of wine and provided aesthetic benefits, blending the new building into the local landscape. |

Greener grass with VYDRO® substrate Elsewhere, independent research has proved that VYDRO® substrate is a highly effective medium for grass growing applications – a development that will interest anyone involved in the upkeep of landscaped gardens and parks in areas prone to low rainfall and prolonged dry conditions. VYDRO® substrate was originally developed for use in green roofs and vertical walls. Now, a study in Tunisia has revealed that grass planted on top of a layer of VYDRO® substrate requires up to 40% less watering to remain lush and green. During a typically hot, dry summer in Tunisia, ENGREF (the French Forestry Education Institute) and the National Agronomic Institute of Tunisia assessed the impact of water reduction on grass samples grown in controlled conditions both with and without VYDRO® substrate. When irrigation was reduced by just 20%, the conventional grass samples went into stress and began to yellow, an effect that increased as water was further reduced. By contrast, grass planted on VYDRO® substrate retained its green color, even when watering was reduced by 40%. The effect was clearly visible using just a 1cm layer of VYDRO® substrate under the turf. | [email protected]

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Cooperation to accelerate automotive composites

Photographs Copyright I.S.T.

Refreshing approach to waste pipe repair at San Miguel

Sales of the VITROX® resin system developed for the trenchless repair of broken waste pipes continue to progress well. The most recent project arising from the partnership between Huntsman Polyurethanes and I.S.T. (Innovative Sewerage Technologies) is for the San Miguel Brewery in Lleida, Spain. Working with local contractor, Grupo AGE, I.S.T. used VITROX® resin to repair various waste water pipes on site. | [email protected]

Major step forward in lightweight soling system

In contrast to injection-molded EVA soles, DALTOPED® Lite offers many advantages. With a density of just 0,33 – 0,38 g/cm³, extremely lightweight unit soles can be processed on existing polyurethane machinery at a lower production cost;

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The agreement marks an important step forward in the development of advanced composite technology for automotive applications. As part of their combined efforts, both companies have made investments in new technologies and established composite development centers at their respective sites in Germany and Belgium. Huntsman has purchased a FRIMO pilot production unit for its technical center in Everberg, Belgium. Designed specifically for polyurethane systems, this equipment allows Huntsman to expand its tailor-made testing and validation capabilities for a new range of matrix resins for automotive fiber composites that are marketed under the trade name VITROX®. Andy Walton, Automotive Business Manager at Huntsman Polyurethanes, said: “The automotive industry needs innovative solutions that enable high-volume scalability, while driving down fiber composite part costs to deliver sustainable, lightweight solutions. This can only be achieved by making optimal use of resin materials in combination with the right process equipment. Our expertise in polyurethane chemistry combined with FRIMO’s technical capabilities and advanced processing equipment is a powerful proposition that we hope will speed the introduction of a new generation of materials.” |

Footwear experts at Huntsman Polyurethanes have created DALTOPED® Lite, an innovative polyether material for polyurethane soles that is an ultra-lightweight, cost-effective and highly versatile alternative to ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA). DALTOPED® Lite is ideally suited to the production of polyurethane soles for high quality casual shoes and children’s footwear. It combines the low-density needed to make shoes more comfortable with excellent mechanical properties and improved ease-of-processing.

The FRIMO Group – a world leading developer of system solutions for the manufacture of high-quality plastic components – is working with Huntsman Polyurethanes to develop cost-effective fiber composite solutions that can be produced in viable volumes for the automotive industry.

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fitting properties are more consistent, which reduces wastage; and the resulting soles are easier to bond and have a better compression set. In addition, polyurethane molds are less expensive, enabling manufacturers to respond more rapidly to changing fashion trends. | [email protected]

VITROX® resin in the mix for CPI innovation award Huntsman Polyurethanes’ VITROX® composite resin technology has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Center for the Polyurethanes Industry’s (CPI) 2012 Innovation Award – a move that acknowledges the caliber of chemistries originating from the business. The award is a core part of the 2012 Polyurethanes Technical Conference, which runs from September 24-26 in Atlanta, Georgia. Celebrating companies and individuals that bring new products, technologies and initiatives to market, the final prize presentation takes place at the conference and is determined by event attendees, who get to vote for their favourite entry during the opening session. Keith Day, Vice President of Global Business Development at Huntsman Polyurethanes,

said: “VITROX® resins truly qualify as a forward-thinking advancement for the industry. The technology has been used to create the world’s first polyurethane-based system for the repair of fractured pipes already in place (CIPP) underground – a process that makes mending sewage and waste water pipes far more affordable, efficient and environmentally friendly. We are keeping our fingers crossed for a win at the show.” | [email protected]

Successful UTECH Europe 2012 “The polyurethanes industry is back on track as a highly technical, innovative sector, which has strong growth prospects…” – that was the conclusion of trade magazine Urethanes Technology International (UTI) when it reported on the 11th UTECH Europe exhibition in Maastricht, The Netherlands in April. This year’s UTECH conference was upbeat and lively with more than 3,500 people visiting the three-day event – an increase of a third on the previous conference in 2009. Attendees included many Huntsman associates, who visited the show to present papers, host seminars, meet customers and staff the company’s 250 square meter booth. At the opening of the UTECH conference, Nick Webster – Vice President Europe for Huntsman Polyurethanes – gave an inspirational speech marking the 75th anniversary of the patent of polyurethanes. Using bold, striking images and big headlines, Nick challenged the audience to think innovatively about the future and use their creativity to imagine new possibilities and applications for polyurethanes. | [email protected]

Forthcoming events and technical presentations 2012 Polyurethanes Technical Conference, Atlanta, USA (September 24-26) Wire China, Shanghai, China (September 25-28) Simac, Bologna, Italy (October 9-11) Bex Asia, Singapore (October 10-12) Ace Tech, Mumbai, India (October 11-13) Fakuma, Friedrichshafen, Germany (October 16-20) India Green Building Congress, Hyderabad, India (October 30 to November 1) 35th World Engineering Congress, Atlanta, USA (October 31 to November 1)

U.S. Coatings Show success for Huntsman The Huntsman Polyurethanes ACE (Adhesives, Coatings and Elastomers) group, along with associates from the company’s Pigments, Performance Products and Advanced Materials divisions, recently exhibited at the 3rd Biennial American Coatings Show in Indianapolis, Indiana. In total, more than 7,500 participants from 69 countries attended the show, reflecting its continuing popularity and growth in the market. The event proved to be a great forum for the ACE team to interact with colleagues and customers. Huntsman’s theme for the event was ‘Driving Performance in Coatings’. This was reflected at the company’s exhibition stand; at a customer reception on the second night of proceedings; and through the launch of two new products: SUPRASEC® 9114 and 9109 MDI polyurea prepolymer isocyanates – materials designed for the formulators of spray polyurea elastomers as general, all-purpose products. | [email protected]

Energy Conservation in Buildings, Roorkee, India (November 1-3) Feiplar Composites and Feipur 2012, Sao Paulo, Brazil (November 6-8) ANPIC, León, Mexico (November 7-9) PDA Conference, Istanbul, Turkey (November 12-14)

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We create better energy efficiency and comfort.

Together.

At Huntsman Polyurethanes, we believe that working in true collaboration with customers is the only way to solve complex problems and find the solutions that will deliver real innovation. So, we strive with a passion and determination to build the deep understanding of our customers that’s required to get to the heart of their needs and establish lasting partnerships. When it comes to creating better energy efficiency and comfort in residential and commercial buildings, MDI-based polyurethane foam is one of the most effective thermal insulants available. It typically provides the highest energy efficiency, leading to the lowest building energy costs. We’ve developed a broad range of raw materials that deliver high quality MDI polyurethane insulation systems that are consistent, robust and easy to process. Combine our knowledge of polyurethanes with your expertise, and we’ll create better insulation… together.

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