THE INNOVATION POTENTIAL OF POLYMER FOAMS

摘要

The 21st century provides a multitude of challenges and risks such as the growing impact of human activities on the environment and the demand for sustainable energy management. The concept of megatrends allows a systematic analysis of these challenges identifying global trends and deducing needs for the respective areas and markets. Cellular polymers already contribute as problem solvers due to their unique properties such as light-weight, excellent thermal insulation and ease of processing. Nevertheless, the innovation potential of polymer foams including novel materials, processes and applications is far from being tapped. For instance, the conservation of energy and reduced emission of carbon dioxide can strongly be enhanced by optimised building insulation, demanding for improved cellular insulation materials. Further driven by legal regulation, manufacturers of insulating foams seek to improve product performance by lowering the thermal conductivity of foams or reducing material costs by decreasing foam density or using cheaper raw materials with the same level of performance. In this paper, BASF's approach of foam research based on global megatrends will be discussed using the example of insulation materials. More precisely, innovative products for the expandable polystyrene market will be highlighted.