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Dow's foam avoids using catalysts

The commonly used foam in your car could be contributing to fogged-up windows and unpleasant smells, as the conventional foaming process use amine catalysts that emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can create fogging and odours in vehicles.

Traditional polyurethane foam formulations have other problems including polycarbonate degradation and chloride staining, but Dow Automotive has introduced a “catalytically active polyol” called Voranol Voractive that reduces the emissions of VOCs by eliminating the need for amine catalysts by grafting the catalytic activity on to a polyol.

With the need for amine catalysts eliminated, so are the expensive specialist requirements for handling and storing the catalysts, as well as the need for full protective equipment to be used throughout the foam formulation and fabrication process, resulting in a more streamlined process and lower costs, says Dow.

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