INSPIRE PIR technology is characterized by an easy foam processing and a competitive density – both in line with European market requirements.
Nick Webster, European vice president for Huntsman’s Polyurethanes division said: ‘PIR sandwich panels currently have a small market share in the European sandwich panel market, but we expect this technology will grow rapidly in the coming years, driven by new fire legislation and insurance company requirements.’ He added: ‘New INSPIRE(R) PIR technology places Huntsman in an excellent position to take a significant share of this more specialised and higher quality panel business.’
PIR foam has many traditional advantages of polyurethane foam, such as light weight, good thermal conductivity and moisture resistance, but with superior fire properties. PIR production involves a higher proportion of MDI, resulting in a thermally more stable product. Until the development of INSPIRE technology, PIR adhesion to steel was more problematic than for polyurethane, hence the former need for an extra adhesive layer.
A paper on INSPIRE PIR entitled ‘New INSPIRE(R) adhesive-free PIR technology for sandwich panels’ and written by Alexander Abati, Domenico Stragapede, Josep Gimeno and Kristof Dedecker will be presented by Huntsman at the UTECH Europe conference at 15.50 hrs on Tuesday, March 31, 2009.
In addition to INSPIRE PIR, the company’s Polyurethanes division will be showcasing an extensive range of products and services for insulation, ACE, footwear, automotive, bedding and furniture and engineered wood products.
Six other papers will be presented at the UTECH Europe conference highlighting Huntsman novelties and improvements:
Recent developments in low emission catalysis for flexible foams’ by Ron Herrington and Gabor Felber (Tuesday, March 31, 2009 at 16.10 hrs).
New MDI-based microcellular polyurethane elastomer technology for high-performance automotive suspension applications’ by Hugo Verbeke and Oliver Kuisle (Tuesday, March 31, 2009 at 17.10 hrs).
Rheo-kinetics and fluid dynamics modelling for the pultrusion of PU composites’ by Mark Brennan, Michael Connolly and Roel Van Boxel (Wednesday, April 1, 2009 at 11.00 hrs).
An analysis of the PU industry’s contribution to sustainable development’ by Shpresa Kotaji (Wednesday, April 1, 2009 at 14.00 hrs).
Combustibility: beyond fire performance considerations’ by Diane Daems (Wednesday, April 1, 2009 at 15.50 hrs).
New prepolymers for polyurea with increased resistance’ by Geert Dries, Stijn Roekaerts and Thorsten Gurke (Thursday, April 2, 2009 at 10.20 hours).
