TAGS: Surface Modification Sustainability / Natural Solutions
Milliken & Company returns to UTECH Europe with its comprehensive portfolio of colorants and additives designed to enhance polyurethane (PU) formulations.
UTECH Europe, which brings together the global PU industry, takes place April 23-25 at the MECC Maastricht in the Netherlands, and Milliken's portfolio will be on display at stand B20.
Presenting Solutions with Sustainability Metrics
As a diversified global manufacturer, Milliken uses its materials science expertise to develop innovative solutions that transform products and markets. At this year's show, Milliken will highlight additives and colorants that deliver critical performance and sustainability metrics in line with industry trends.
Offering Colors Without Interfering Formulation
Milliken's
Reactint® supports the circularity of PU foams while imparting vibrant, highly effective color solutions that do not affect or interfere with the polyol formulation.
The particle-free colorant formulations offer a higher recovery yield during the chemolysis recycling process, encouraging post-industrial and post-consumer use without affecting the color of the recycled polyol. Reactint® is also compatible with a variety of renewable sources, including recycled polyols, natural polyols or CO
2-based polyols - all of which help create a circular economy for polyurethane foams.
“
Brand owners and foamers interested in creating more sustainable products that visually align with product branding are choosing Reactint® solutions to make it happen,” said Daan Vanwynsberghe, Global Director, Polyurethane, for Milliken's Chemical Business.
In addition to performance-driven colorants, Milliken EnFinit® encapsulated phase change materials (PCM) can offer another benefit to PU foams-thermal performance. Their formaldehyde-free formulation makes them suitable for bedding, cushions, medical devices, footwear, apparel, and other consumer comfort products.
Highlighting Amine-free Antioxidant to Protect PU
Milliken's PU additive solutions include
Milliguard™ AOX - an amine-free antioxidant package that protects PU and other thermoset polymers from oxidation and degradation. With the advent of amine regulation, the Milliguard™ AOX platform enables regulatory compliance with benefits across the value chain.
Milliguard™ AOX is a carbon-centered radical scavenger that helps manufacturers meet stringent environmental and air quality goals by not contributing to volatile organic compound (VOC) or formation of volatile organic compounds (FOG) emissions. As a VDA-278 automotive compliant solution,Milliguard™ AOX is ideal for regulated industries including furniture, bedding and automotive - helping foamers produce non-amine, non-toxic and environmentally friendly PU products.
Helping to Solve Circularity Challenges
Using its chemical portfolio, Milliken is purposefully designing solutions that help solve circularity challenges facing customers in the PU industry and the plastic industry as a whole. The emphasis mirrors Milliken’s wider commitment to sustainable manufacturing and enterprise sustainability initiatives.
In 2022, Milliken announced its near- and long-term net-zero targets were verified by the Science Based Targets initiative. These targets chart Milliken’s path to becoming net-zero by 2050 across scope 1, scope 2 and scope 3 emissions. Milliken affirmed its gold EcoVadis rating in 2023, placing the company in the top 2% of organizations rated according to the program’s sustainability matrix. Working collaboratively within the company and alongside customers, communities and stakeholders, Milliken continues to make progress on its carbon emission reductions toward net-zero and toward its broader 2025 Sustainability Goals.
Source: Milliken