With an expanded polyurethanes portfolio, Dow Automotive offers customers innovative solutions as part of a broader material selection, which demonstrates the company’s technical expertise and its ability to supply the market with state-of-the-art products.

Traditional polyurethane foams, one of the most commonly used materials in the automotive industry, are known to emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and amines that can create fogging, staining and unpleasant odors in end products. Simultaneously, automotive manufacturers are looking for ways to meet growing customer demands for eco-friendly solutions. Dow Automotive addresses both of these needs with the introduction of VORANOLTM VORACTIV™ polyols and RENUVA™ Resource Technology.

RENUVA Resource Technology from Dow is an advanced process that produces polyols from natural oils. This break-through technology uses 60% fewer fossil fuel resources than conventional polyol technology and produces no net greenhouse emissions. Dow’s natural oil-based polyols can be used for automotive applications including armrests, headrests, seating, instrument panels and NVH foams. The result is end-products that offer high levels of renewable content and exceptional performance without the odor often associated with other bio-based products.

VORANOL VORACTIV addresses concerns raised by the conventional polyurethane foaming process, which uses amine catalysts to initiate the reaction with isocyanates and thus produces VOCs and odors. VORANOL VORACTIV has amine catalyst built into the polyol, resulting in a low-VOC emission polyurethane system which significantly decreases fogging, polyvinyl chloride staining and polycarbonate degradation normally associated with conventional polyurethane foam and reduces unpleasant odors often associated with amine emissions.

Both polyurethane solutions are commercially available to automotive manufacturers and tier suppliers.

About Dow Automotive

Dow Automotive is a leading global provider of technology-driven solutions that meet consumer demand for vehicles that are safer, stronger, quieter, lighter, cleaner, comfortable and stylish. The organization provides plastics, adhesives, glass bonding systems, sealants, emissions control technology, films, fluids and structural enhancement and acoustical management solutions to OEM, tier and aftermarket customers around the world. For additional information about Dow Automotive products, services, and application development centres, visit www.dowautomotive.com.

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