As the backbone of automotive seating, molded flexible polyurethane foam is an essential component of user experience in modern vehicles. Molded polyurethane foam not only provides comfort to consumers. It also contributes to vehicle safety and ergonomics, enables advanced features in seat systems, and provides opportunities to foster brand image. In addition, molded polyurethane foam is a core element of the durability of automotive interiors.
As a major supplier of chemicals to the automotive industry, BASF understands that manufacturers of molded polyurethane foam need high quality products, constant innovation and access to a broad selection of raw materials to meet the stringent requirements of OEMs. Our catalogue of isocyanates and polyols includes both standard and specialty materials developed in close collaboration with customers and offers a broad range of options to optimally balance performance, productivity and cost-effectiveness. In addition, our state-of-the-art demo area in Wyandotte, MI and our application experts are available to help our customers with product development, production process optimization and sustainability initiatives. As a global company, BASF also leverages a network of scientists across North America, Europe and Asia to address industry trends and challenges, resulting for example in an array of solutions for the reduction of volatile organic compounds (VOC).
While automotive and transportation seating remain the largest markets for molded polyurethane foams, our isocyanates and polyols are also used in several other applications that rely on these materials for comfort, performance and durability. Such applications include automotive parts for noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) improvement, furniture and bedding, packaging, medical devices, and sporting goods.