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BASF (Ludwigshafen, Germany) announced an improved process for manufacturing Lupranol (polyether polyol) that enables vehicle interior components made of BASF polyurethane systems to emit an average of 20% less aldehyde. This allows automotive suppliers manufacturing components such as acoustic parts, seats, steering wheels and back-foam instrument panels and doors to meet requirements for lower emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Following the process change at BASF’s Asian production sites at the beginning of 2017, the modification is now being made in Europe and will be implemented in U.S. plants during this year.

The emissions have been optimized by improving the cleaning and finishing processes of Lupranol in such a way that the mechanical properties of the material remain unchanged during the following foam and processing steps, said BASF. This means that the currently used Lupranol grades can be exchanged immediately, with no need for elaborate tests or renewed approvals of the PU systems. BASF markets the PU systems for flexible, semi-rigid and integral foams under the Elastoflex W, Elastoflex E and Elastofoam I brands.

BASF noted in its release that governments around the world are continuously demanding lower emissions for vehicle interiors in order to reduce the possible impact of VOCs on the health of vehicle drivers, but also to lessen the typical new-car smell. The focus is currently on aldehydes, such as formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and propionaldehyde, as well as aromatics from polyurethanes. BASF is working intensively on developing PU systems that allow for car components with lower emissions.

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