Title:  PROCESS FOR PRODUCING FLAME-RETARDANT POROUS MATERIALS BASED ON POLYUREA

Number:  US2012235070

 Publication date:  20-9-2012

Applicant/Assignee: BASF

Gist: polyfunctional isocyanate and polyfunctional amine are reacted in organic solvent containing soluble flame ratardant.  The solvent is then removed, under subcritical conditions, resulting in a self-standing porous material..

Why it is interesting:  Since a few years there is a surge of BASF patent applications on microporous/nanoporous materials for insulation, and this case is probably only one of many to follow. It appears BASF is taking the lead in this highly promising field for PU insulation.

Title:  METHOD FOR PRODUCING A POLYURETHANE FOAM AND POLYURETHANE FOAM OBTAINABLE THEREBY

Number: US2012238655

Publication date: 20-9-2012

Applicant/Assignee: Bayer IP

Gist: isocyanate and polyol reacted together with specific surfactante and blowing agent in supercritical state.

Why it is interesting: Heat insulation is a ‘hot’ topic in polyurethane research.  One way to improve insulation is to reduce cell size to nano-scale. This material is interesting because it combines both micron-scale cells as nano-scale cells which is claimed to result in improved insulation as well as mechanical properties.