Arne Klinkebiel, BASF (pinfa member), specialises in polyurethane insulation, and underlines the importance of finding new PIN flame retardant solutions. Challenges include the need to respect demanding customer requirements on material and insulation performance and cost, in different polyurethanes all of which are specific, as well as meeting smoke toxicity specifications.
To respond to this, BASF is looking at new flame retardants, combinations of FRs and synergists and modification of the polymer matrix itself to improve fire resistance. At the same time, insulation panel assemblies are becoming more complex, and can provide fire protection of the polymer, but the trend is towards testing of the polymer foam alone (not the assembly) in order to ensure the highest level of fire safety.
With over 50 years of experience, BASF is Europe’s leading supplier of polyurethane basic products, polyurethane systems specialty elastomers. Applications include insulation, automobiles, shoes, furniture, electronics and the construction industry. http://www.polyurethanes.basf.de/pu/solutions/en/