Lubrizol and Trexel team up on high performance foam technology

Together with MuCell physical foaming technology, Lubrizol’s Estane? TPU can provide cost-effective, highly elastic microcellular parts for energy absorption and cushioning applications. Beside superior compression properties and a fast molding cycle, Estane microcellular foams can provide a high-quality, thin skin layer that adds aesthetic values, as well as the typical advantages of TPU such as outstanding abrasion and cut resistance.

By working together, Lubrizol Engineered Polymers sports and recreation segment and Trexel will be able to bring an encompassing value to processors from setting up a new MuCell molding line, modifying an existing line or suggestions of which TPU grades to utilize for quality foam parts. In addition, brands with post-consumer recycling programs* in place — or planning for them — may appreciate the fact that Estane foam contains no foreign chemical additives such as chemical blowing agents or crosslinkers.

Gert-Jan Nijhuis, sports and recreation global business director for Lubrizol Engineered Polymers noted, “Our cooperation with Trexel is a direct result of Lubrizol’s strategy to be a solution provider to the sports and recreation industry. It allows us to combine our innovative TPU technologies, with the latest manufacturing technologies. This enables us to bring an encompassing value not only to processors, but also to Global OEMs and ultimately the consumer.”

“We are excited about our new partnership with Lubrizol, the provider of Estane. Our joint customers will greatly benefit from our co-development efforts for MuCell-foamed Estane providing a lighter injection molded part with improved energy absorbency for consumer sports and recreation applications," said Steve Braig, president & CEO of Trexel Inc.