The Center for the Polyurethanes Industry (CPI) recently announced the finalists for the 2015 Polyurethane Innovation Award, selecting innovations created by Dow Chemical, Honeywell and Novomer. The three commercial technology finalists will be presented during the Opening Session of the 2015 Polyurethanes Technical Conference, to be held Oct. 5- 7 in Orlando, Fla.

Since its inception in 2005, the Polyurethane Innovation Award has highlighted the role that innovation plays in the polyurethanes industry, and recognized companies and individuals who bring new products, technologies, and initiatives to the marketplace. The award is presented annually at CPI’s Polyurethanes Technical Conference.

“Each year, the selection process gets tougher as companies from all corners of the polyurethanes industry continue to raise the bar creating incredible innovations and developments,” said Lee Salamone, senior director. “All of this year’s submissions represented the best of the best in our industry, and CPI congratulates Dow Chemical, Honeywell and Novomer on their selection as finalists.”

The innovations selected for this year’s award are:

Dow Chemical’s VORASTAR™ 7000 spray elastomer represents a novel class of hydrophobic, alcohol terminated polymer resins that can be formulated as spray applied polyurea coatings. The elastomer reportedly creates a coating that exhibits improved resistance to moisture and concentrated aqueous acids, as well as upgraded adhesive properties with steel, retention of adhesion after long-term immersion testing, and improved flexibility and durability. When used as a coating material, it can provide protection to infrastructure in the oil and gas, petrochemical, and chemical industries.

Honeywell’s Solstice® Liquid Blowing Agent (LBA) is a polyurethane foam blowing agent used in insulation applications, including in appliances and spray foam, reportedly enabling the attainment of higher energy standards. The agent can also help better insulate trucks, containers and ships used to transport cold cargo like food and liquefied natural gas. Moreover, it can help safely and dramatically reduce climate impact, improve energy efficiency, and create jobs.

Novomer’s Converge® Polyol RF-x polyisocyanurate rigid (PIR) foams represent an optimized material that allows foam manufacturers to process PIRs with traditional equipment and processing conditions while still benefiting from properties derived from polypropylene carbonate polyols. The polyols reportedly demonstrate improved properties in flammability testing; these tests reveal a reduction in total smoke and heat released when compared to a conventional aromatic polyester polyol.

“Interacting with the individuals leading these types of innovations is one of the things that defines the Polyurethanes Technical Conference,” said Susan Norris, 2015 conference chair. “The conference hosts leaders who are transforming the industry through their technical expertise and new approaches of using science to create products that benefit all of us.”

 For more information, visit www.americanchemistry.com.