Huntsman announces the launch of ACOUSTIFLEX VEF BIO system, a pioneering bio-based viscoelastic foam technology for molded acoustic applications in the automotive industry that contains up to 20% bio-based content, derived from vegetable oils.

This new solution can lower the carbon footprint of automotive carpet back-foaming by up to 25% compared to existing Huntsman systems for this application. The technology can also be used for dash and wheel arch insulation.

It addresses rising demand for material technologies that can help automotive manufacturers lower their carbon footprint, but are still high-performing.

Huntsman develops breakthrough bio-based polyurethane system for lower carbon automotive acoustic application.

Irina Bolshakova, Global Marketing Lead for Automotive Polyurethanes at Huntsman, explained, “Previously, there was a frustration that incorporating bio-based content into a polyurethane foam system would have a detrimental impact on performance, specifically on emission and odor levels. The development of our ACOUSTIFLEX VEF BIO system proves that doesn’t need to be the case.”

When it comes to acoustic performance, analysis experiments show that Huntsman’s original VEF systems can outclass standard high resilient (HR) foams at lower frequencies (<500 Hz). ACOUSTIFLEX VEF BIO system achieves the same magnitude of sound reducing capability.

In developing ACOUSTIFLEX VEF BIO system, the company has continued its work in the development of zero-amine, zero-plasticizer, and extremely low aldehyde emitting PU foams. As a result, the system is both low emission and low odor.

Introducing bio content into its VEF systems, Huntsman has worked to ensure that the weight of the material is not affected. So, it remains lightweight.

The company's automotive team has also ensured there are no associated processing disadvantages. ACOUSTIFLEX VEF BIO system can still be used to quickly create components that have complex geometric shapes and sharp angles, with high productivity rates and demold times as low as 80 seconds – depending on part design.

Huntsman announces the launch of ACOUSTIFLEX VEF BIO system, a pioneering bio-based viscoelastic foam technology for molded acoustic applications in the automotive industry that contains up to 20% bio-based content, derived from vegetable oils.

This new solution can lower the carbon footprint of automotive carpet back-foaming by up to 25% compared to existing Huntsman systems for this application. The technology can also be used for dash and wheel arch insulation.

It addresses rising demand for material technologies that can help automotive manufacturers lower their carbon footprint, but are still high-performing.

Huntsman develops breakthrough bio-based polyurethane system for lower carbon automotive acoustic application.

Irina Bolshakova, Global Marketing Lead for Automotive Polyurethanes at Huntsman, explained, “Previously, there was a frustration that incorporating bio-based content into a polyurethane foam system would have a detrimental impact on performance, specifically on emission and odor levels. The development of our ACOUSTIFLEX VEF BIO system proves that doesn’t need to be the case.”

When it comes to acoustic performance, analysis experiments show that Huntsman’s original VEF systems can outclass standard high resilient (HR) foams at lower frequencies (<500 Hz). ACOUSTIFLEX VEF BIO system achieves the same magnitude of sound reducing capability.

In developing ACOUSTIFLEX VEF BIO system, the company has continued its work in the development of zero-amine, zero-plasticizer, and extremely low aldehyde emitting PU foams. As a result, the system is both low emission and low odor.

Introducing bio content into its VEF systems, Huntsman has worked to ensure that the weight of the material is not affected. So, it remains lightweight.

The company's automotive team has also ensured there are no associated processing disadvantages. ACOUSTIFLEX VEF BIO system can still be used to quickly create components that have complex geometric shapes and sharp angles, with high productivity rates and demold times as low as 80 seconds – depending on part design.