After two years of development, Sumika Bayer Urethane (Osaka / Japan) – a joint venture between Bayer MaterialScience (BMS, Leverkusen / Germany; www.bayerbms.com) and Sumitomo Chemicals (Tokyo / Japan; www.sumitomo-chem.co.jp/english/index.html) – has introduced a new bio-based polyurethane system to meet increased market demand for eco-friendly products.

The semi-rigid PU foam, also known as integral PU foam, was developed from non-edible plant resources and includes special material properties linkd to the combination of a dense to solid skin zone with a soft, flexible core. At a plant component ratio of at most 50%, Sumika Bayer Urethane says the new foam is equivalent to existing integral PU foams in terms of property and cost structure. The key application for the new foam, which was developed at BMS’ Innovation Centre in Amagasaki, is vehicle interiors, and - more particularly - the steering wheel.

Sumika Bayer Urethane says it is currently sending out product samples from its Amagasaki centre. Depending on demand, the company says it can start mass production at its plant in Niihama in 2013.