VORANOL VORACTIV Polyols Help Foam Processors Reduce Costs and Increase Consumer Appeal in Key Foam Applications

VORANOL VORACTIV Polyols Help Foam Processors Reduce Costs and Increase Consumer Appeal in Key Foam Applications
Innovative Dow Polyols Enhance Foam for Bedding, Furniture and Automotive Uses

Houston, TX - October 17, 2005

As foam manufacturers search for ways to reduce processing costs and bring improved foam products to their customers, Dow VORANOL™ VORACTIV™ polyols have emerged as an innovative alternative.

“Flexible and molded foam is an extremely competitive market where it can be difficult to differentiate your product from the next,” said Doug Warner, business director for polyols at Dow. “Customers who’ve made the switch to VORANOL VORACTIV polyols have been pleased with their ability to lower their costs, simplify their processing and improve foam consistency. At the same time, they are able to offer their customers a product with reduced odor due to amine emissions and improved foam performance — two areas that consumers are known to care about.”

Amines are essential to foam production and by having the amine catalyst as part of the polyol, flexible foam manufacturers can eliminate a formulating step. This results in a streamlined process and elimination of amine purchasing, handling and storage. These factors help to directly lower their costs of manufacturing.

Furthermore, VORANOL VORACTIV polyols help foam producers reduce waste during foam production start-up, due to improved shape and consistency. They are able to produce more uniform foams with tighter density and hardness distribution for mattresses and cushions, which can lead to increased consumer comfort and product satisfaction. By reducing emissions caused by amine catalysts, the polyols reduce perceived odors emitted by flexible foam products, a major plus for consumers when purchasing bedding and furniture.

“Some consumers have had a negative experience with their foam mattresses or cushions that either emit odors retained from the manufacturing process or aren’t always as durable as they would expect due to non-uniform foam structure,” said Warner. “Foam made with VORACTIV polyols can give bedding and furniture manufacturers a greater measure of confidence when dealing with these concerns.”

In the automotive industry, where flexible and molded foams are used in car seats, headrests and interior trim, amine emissions are believed to contribute to problems such as windshield fogging, polycarbonate degradation, and PVC staining. VORACTIV polyols from Dow reduce VOC emissions by as much as 50-70 percent, protecting automotive interiors and increasing passenger comfort. In molded applications, VORACTIV polyols offer a consistent flow and reaction profile, allowing more complex seats and parts to be molded in a dependable manner, with the benefit of easier processing, reduced waste and odor reduction.

“From a commercial aspect, even the smallest product defect can cost manufacturers lots of time and money, not to mention customer loyalty. Automotive, furniture and bedding manufacturers are recognizing that some of the challenges that they’ve been dealing with for years can be alleviated by asking their foam formulator to switch to VORACTIV,” Warner noted.

Dow is the world’s largest producer of polyether polyols, a leading producer of quality aromatic isocyanates (such as MDI and TDI) and a major supplier of propylene oxide, an essential component of polyether polyols. Dow’s polyurethanes products are used in rigid foams, flexible foams, and coatings, adhesives, sealants, and elastomers, as well as many other applications.

About The Dow Chemical Company

Dow is a leader in science and technology, providing innovative chemical, plastic and agricultural products and services to many essential consumer markets. With annual sales of $40 billion, Dow serves customers in 175 countries and a wide range of markets that are vital to human progress: food, transportation, health and medicine, personal and home care, and building and construction, among others. Committed to the principles of sustainable development, Dow and its 43,000 employees seek to balance economic, environmental and social responsibilities.

References to “Dow” or the “Company” mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted.

For more information, visit www.voractiv.com.

For More Information:

Dan Taylor
The Dow Chemical Company
(989) 636-5005

For Editorial Information:

Anisha Shah
Gibbs & Soell
(212) 697-2600


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At the same time, they are able to offer their customers a product with reduced odor due to amine emissions and improved foam performance — two areas that consumers are known to care about.” Amines are essential to foam production and by having the amine catalyst as part of the polyol, flexible foam manufacturers can eliminate a formulating step. This results in a streamlined process and elimination of amine purchasing, handling and storage. These factors help to directly lower their costs of manufacturing. Furthermore, VORANOL VORACTIV polyols help foam producers reduce waste during foam production start-up, due to improved shape and consistency. They are able to produce more uniform foams with tighter density and hardness distribution for mattresses and cushions, which can lead to increased consumer comfort and product satisfaction. By reducing emissions caused by amine catalysts, the polyols reduce perceived odors emitted by flexible foam products, a major plus for consumers when purchasing bedding and furniture. “Some consumers have had a negative experience with their foam mattresses or cushions that either emit odors retained from the manufacturing process or aren’t always as durable as they would expect due to non-uniform foam structure,” said Warner. “Foam made with VORACTIV polyols can give bedding and furniture manufacturers a greater measure of confidence when dealing with these concerns.” In the automotive industry, where flexible and molded foams are used in car seats, headrests and interior trim, amine emissions are believed to contribute to problems such as windshield fogging, polycarbonate degradation, and PVC staining. VORACTIV polyols from Dow reduce VOC emissions by as much as 50-70 percent, protecting automotive interiors and increasing passenger comfort. In molded applications, VORACTIV polyols offer a consistent flow and reaction profile, allowing more complex seats and parts to be molded in a dependable manner, with the benefit of easier processing, reduced waste and odor reduction. “From a commercial aspect, even the smallest product defect can cost manufacturers lots of time and money, not to mention customer loyalty. Automotive, furniture and bedding manufacturers are recognizing that some of the challenges that they’ve been dealing with for years can be alleviated by asking their foam formulator to switch to VORACTIV,” Warner noted. Dow is the world’s largest producer of polyether polyols, a leading producer of quality aromatic isocyanates (such as MDI and TDI) and a major supplier of propylene oxide, an essential component of polyether polyols. Dow’s polyurethanes products are used in rigid foams, flexible foams, and coatings, adhesives, sealants, and elastomers, as well as many other applications. About The Dow Chemical Company Dow is a leader in science and technology, providing innovative chemical, plastic and agricultural products and services to many essential consumer markets. With annual sales of $40 billion, Dow serves customers in 175 countries and a wide range of markets that are vital to human progress: food, transportation, health and medicine, personal and home care, and building and construction, among others. Committed to the principles of sustainable development, Dow and its 43,000 employees seek to balance economic, environmental and social responsibilities. References to “Dow” or the “Company” mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. For more information, visit www.voractiv.com. For More Information: Dan Taylor The Dow Chemical Company (989) 636-5005 For Editorial Information: Anisha Shah Gibbs & Soell (212) 697-2600
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