LEVERKUSEN, Germany/MIDLAND, MI - Bayer and The Dow Chemical Co. have completed a license agreement that allows Dow to produce polyether polyols using Bayer’s patented IMPACT technology.
IMPACT technology, a new technology in the global phase of market introduction, incorporates processes for polyoxyalkylation that uses a special double metal cyanide (DMC) as a catalyst. This technology enhances the consistency of polyether polyols and provides waste-reduction advantages in the manufacturing process.
The license agreement also grants Dow the right to use a continuous process to produce long-chain polyether polyols, which are used as base products for flexible polyurethane slab-stock foams. Dow expects to utilize this technology in the future as conversion of production units permits and will ensure a smooth integration of the new products into the existing portfolio in close cooperation with its customers.
A world-scale Dow production facility based on this technology is being evaluated for start up in 2010. Prior to this, Dow expects to have pre-marketing volumes of these products available.<
