Title: POLYURETHANE FOAMS BASED ON POLYETHER CARBONATE POLYOLS

Number/Link: WO2017/085201 (German)

Applicant/Assignee: Covestro

Publication Date: 26-may-2017

“Gist”: Use of urea reduces the formation of propylenecarbonate from polycarbonate polyols

Why it is interesting: Covestry is betting heavily on polyethercarbonate polyols for use in polyurethane foams, using the carbon-negative footprint as a selling point. The use of polyethercarbonate polyols in PU foams can, however, result in the formation of propylenecarbonate resulting from a retro reaction promoted by conventional amine catalysts. Propylenecarbonate will contribute to the total VOC emissions of foams and other materials. According to this invention, the retro reaction can -surprisingly- be prevented or reduced by using urea or urea-derivatives in the foam formulation. In the examples urea and dimethylaminopropylurea are used together with a tin catalyst,  polyethercarbonate polyols and TDI to produce flexible foams with reduced propylenecarbonate content.

Propylenecarbonate