Bayer Materialscience Develops Tailor-Made Prepolymers Based On Special Isocyanates And Technologies


o Meet demand for low free-monomer or isocyanate-free prepolymers
o Conference is ideal forum for showcasing BMS' technical advancements and expertise in coatings, adhesives and sealants.

Miami, April 20, 2008 - Reactive polyurethane (PUR) adhesives and sealants are increasingly used in a variety of applications, including as reactive PUR hot melts, flexible packaging adhesives, construction sealants, and general purpose
one- and two-component formulations. The adhesives and sealants currently used typically contain some level of isocyanate monomers. However, due to a new regulation regarding the labeling of MDI monomer-containing products in Europe, effective in 2009, there is an increasing demand for low free-monomer or isocyanate-free prepolymers. Bayer MaterialScience (BMS) is addressing this need.

Dr. Matthias Wintermantel, BMS AG, is presenting: "New Polyurethane Raw Materials with Low- or No-Isocyanate Monomer Content," which is co-authored by BMS colleagues Mathias Matner, Christos Karafilidis and Marc Leimenstoll. Wintermantel is presenting the paper at the 2008 World Adhesive Conference (WAC) and Expo taking place 20-23 at the InterContinental Miami Hotel in Miami.

According to the authors, one way to achieve the objective is to use specially designed prepolymers to formulate adhesives and sealants with low free-monomer content and low emission properties. Bayer MaterialScience is developing tailor-made prepolymers based on special isocyanates (for example 2,4' MDI) and technologies (such as thin-film evaporation) for a range of polyurethane adhesive and sealant applications.

A second approach that will be addressed during the presentation is the combination of polyurethane technology with silane-based crosslinking. This method combines the excellent mechanical properties of the polyurethane backbone with the bubble-free moisture cure delivered by the silane-curing mechanism.

BMS will have a significant presence at the conference, one of the world's largest adhesive and sealant industry expositions.

Wintermantel's presentation is actually one of three presentations that are being given by BMS scientists at the conference. Attendees also have the opportunity to stop by the BMS exhibit (#7), where the theme is "Innovation, Performance and Sustainability." BMS experts are on hand to highlight improvements in the company's product offerings, including a one-component latent reactive adhesive technology to provide better productivity, and polyurethane dispersions offering advanced versatility.

Bayer MaterialScience LLC is one of the leading producers of polymers and high-performance plastics in North America and is part of the global Bayer MaterialScience business with nearly 15,400 employees at 30 sites around the world and 2007 sales of 10.4 billion euros. Business activities are focused on the manufacture of high-tech polymer materials and the development of innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main segments served are the automotive, electrical and electronics, construction, medical, and sports and leisure industries. Our inorganic basic chemicals unit produces chlorine and related essential products for the chemicals industry. Let us give life to your vision. Bayer MaterialScience - Where VisionWorks.

Bayer Corporation, headquartered in Pittsburgh, is a subsidiary of Bayer AG, an international health care, nutrition and innovative materials group based in Leverkusen, Germany. In North America, Bayer had 2007 net sales of 8.1 billion euros and employed 16,800 at year end. Bayer's three subgroups, Bayer HealthCare, Bayer CropScience and Bayer MaterialScience, improve people's lives through a broad range of essential products that help diagnose, prevent and treat diseases; protect crops and enhance yields; and advance automobile safety and durability.

Contact:
Tom Erdner, Phone: 412-777-5200
E-mail: thomas.erdner@bayerbms.com

For more information about coatings, adhesives or specialties, call 1-800-662-2927, e-mail naftainfo@bayerbms.com or visit www.bayermaterialsciencenafta.com.

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