Innovating for growth

Throughout our rise to prominence in the global chemical industry, we have kept firmly in place the core values upon which our company was founded. We are committed to enriching lives through the innovation that results from employing highly skilled and talented people to develop and manufacture the highest quality products that help make life better for consumers in a multitude of ways.

Huntsman has a proven record of scientific and technological innovation (we have nearly 5,000 patents, granted and pending), an expanding inventory of products, an increasing presence in worldwide markets, and is recognized as a trusted partner and supplier of key products to essential industries throughout the world.

Recent examples of our product innovations are showcased in these pages.

Pioneering TPU technologies open up new application frontiers

Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) is an elastomer that bridges the gap between rubber and plastics. Elastic and melt-processable with outstanding toughness, durability and processing ease, this versatile performer is found in many varied applications from architectural glass lamination and drive belts to in-line skates and wire and cable coatings.

Building on its existing line-up of TPU technologies, Huntsman has created several pioneering new ranges that open up new frontiers and market opportunities to customers. These include a High Flow TPU; a Soft Elastic TPU and a High Performance Injection Molding TPU.

High Flow TPU reveals new possibilities for customers including film adhesives and non-reactive hot melt adhesives for coating or adhering finer fabrics. This proprietary technology has the performance of conventional TPU products but with remarkably low melt viscosities - between ten and one hundred times lower than traditional solutions. It delivers dramatically enhanced flow providing excellent substrate wetting and penetration. And importantly, because solvents are not needed for processability, High Flow TPU is a preferred alternative for environmental, health and safety reasons.

Benefits • Low melt viscosities • Good adhesion in traditionally challenging applications • Solvent-free and low temperature processing

For more detailed information read: “Unique viscoelastic properties of new family of thermoplastic polyurethanes” (PDF, 288Kb) Authored by Lifeng Wu; Rafael Camargo; Christopher Linday and Steve Woutters.

Soft Elastic TPUs are a new line of plasticizer-free products from Huntsman which offer outstanding performance in extrusion, calendaring and molding applications. Providing all the standard benefits of normal TPUs, these polyether and polyester-based soft TPUs have added advantages including excellent flexibility, long-lasting elasticity, low temperature processability, and a good tactile feel – all without the use of phthalates.

Ideal for applications such as elastic adhesive and waterproof fabric coating, they can also be used in injection molding applications for shoe soling, flexible tubing, tool handles and much more.

Benefits • Phthalate-free • Excellent elasticity • Suitable for injection molding • Low temperature processing

High Performance Injection Molding TPUs from Huntsman’s K-Series portfolio have been expanded to offer state-of-the-art solutions for high temperature applications. With enhanced melt processability these new materials offer excellent wear resistance, compression set, environmental resistance and processability. Resistant to oils, grease, water and high temperatures, plus capable of maintaining superior mechanical property performance they are ideal for use in o-rings, seals, wheels and rollers, and coupling halves.

Benefits • Excellent wear and environmental resistance • Superior mechanical performance • Better processability meaning faster material flow and more efficient production • Available in granule and pellet form for customer convenience

For more detailed information read: “A New Family of Soft Elastic TPUs” (PDF, 584Kb) Authored by Christopher Lindsay, Steve Woutters and Steve Norval.