Under the name “Adiprene Green”, Germany’s Lanxess (Cologne; www.lanxess.com) has launched a new range of bio-based MDI polyether prepolymers said to be suitable to replace fossil-based prepolymers in production of highly durable polyurethane elastomers. By using starch as a feedstock, the company said a 20-30% reduction in CO₂ is achievable.

In the manufacturing process, the share of bio-based raw materials can vary by 30-90%, depending on the desired system hardness, Lanxess said. As the PU system is versatile, Adiprene Green can be hand or machine mixed, with no modifications to material handling, process temperatures or mixing ratios needed. What’s more, the end-product should be similar to the fossil-based variety or even improved. Reactivity profile and demoulding times are claimed to be similar to fossil-based polyether prepolymers. When reacted with 1,4 butanediol, a range of PU elastomers with a hardness from 40 Shore A to 60 Shore D can be achieved. Moreover, the prepolymers can be processed with Lanxess’ “Vibracat” catalysts.

With the goal to be climate neutral by 2040, Lanxess is building on its “established and successful” commitment to climate protection, with the first major projects already launched, Markus Eckert, head of the Urethane Systems business unit, said. According to Lanxess, the Adiprene Green line is well suited for demanding applications such as roll covers, wheels, press sleeves or non-pneumatic tires.