By Michael Lauzon
CORRESPONDENT
Published: July 30, 2014 9:42 am ET
Updated: July 30, 2014 9:45 am ET
BASF Corp. reports a new formulation of its rigid polyurethane foams using a liquid blowing agent touted to improve processing and to have less impact on the environment than conventional hydrofluorocarbon blowing agents.
BASF’s new Elastocool grade uses Solstice, a new hydrofluoroolefin supplied by Honeywell Performance Materials. Whirlpool Corp. has begun using the new foam in its line of consumer refrigerators, making it the first appliance manufacturer to commercially use BASF’s new foam.
Honeywell claims Solstice has lower global warming potential than HFCs. BASF says it gives a 2 to 3 percent increase in insulation efficiency in the Whirlpool appliances. Other benefits of the new foam are longer shelf life prior to usage, improved foam distribution in refrigerator production and reduced de-molding time to boost manufacturing productivity.
Solstice is a chlor-trifluoropropene that received U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approval in 2012.
BASF Corp.’s Wyandotte, Mich., office reported the Whirlpool development. | 
