Huntsman Polyurethanes expands its Suprasec soling range
Huntsman Polyurethanes has launched its latest additions to its Suprasec range of water-blown polyether soling technologies. Anticipating future environmental legislation to eliminate ozone depleting and greenhouse gas emissions in the footwear industry, the new series of high performance polyurethane systems is available for a variety of components and offers footwear manufacturers high durability and improved processing.
Proposed European legislation is predicted to ban the sale of footwear containing fluorinated hydrocarbons (HFCs) by mid-2006. This has prompted Huntsman to further develop its fully water-blown technologies. Manufacturers are set to benefit from improved processing, cleaner aesthetics and durability.
Physical blowing agents have traditionally been used in polyether chemistry to improve surface definition and physical properties. By using Suprasec prepolymer technology, Huntsman has been able to create similar effects using only water as the blowing agent.
Craig Roberts, marketing manager, Huntsman Polyurethanes Footwear team, says: “Huntsman pioneered the development of fully water-blown polyether systems and it is this focus that has enabled us to perfect the technology, enabling our customers to achieve the ultimate step and eliminate physical blowing agents completely.”
