Polyurethanes News Releases

Air Products is Celebrating 50 Years of Supplying Dabco Catalysts and Will Be Launching a New Generation of Non-Emission Catalysts

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Across the globe, manufacturers of polyurethane (PU) materials are demanding increasingly innovative additives that are capable of producing high quality foam with reduced environmental emissions.

Designed for use in the automotive and flexible slabstock sectors, Air Products has been leading the way in the development of new generation low emission non-fugitive catalysts.

Steve Hulme, Global Marketing Manager PU Chemicals at Air Products, said: "When developing low emission catalysts, the biggest challenge has been to fulfil the physical property standards of flexible foams used in automotive seating, in particular to meet properties after humid aging of the foam."

According to Air Products, demand for non-emission catalyst technology has spread globally in the past decade and this is expected to continue. Steve Hulme added: "Initial interest in non-fugitive catalyst technology came from the European automotive industry, but this has since spread to flexible stabstock and rigid foams. We are now seeing an increased demand for this advanced technology from furniture and bedding producers in Asia, for example, which are supplying markets in the EU and US."

In Europe, Air Products is launching two next generation non-emission catalysts at UTECH 2012, Dabco® NE1090 and Dabco BA305. Both these new products have been designed specifically to produce non-emission molded TDI foam that can meet the humid age specification that is required by automotive OEMs. "The technology will close a gap that foam manufacturers have been looking for since many years", added Steve Hulme, "and will be another milestone in 50 years of Air Products´ catalyst developments for the polyurethane industry". New catalysts and surfactants for rigid and flexible foam applications will also be showcased.

Air Products obtained the Dabco business and patent rights when it acquired the Houdry Process Corporation in 1962 and so will be celebrating 50 years of supplying innovative products to the PU industry at Utech 2012.

Air Products manufactures a variety of additives, intermediates and prepolymers for use in the polyurethane industry. These products are widely used in automotive, bedding, furniture, appliance, construction, shoe and many other industries. For more information please visit www.airproducts.com/Polyurethane.

Note to Editors:

About Air Products
Air Products (NYSE:APD) provides atmospheric, process and specialty gases; performance materials; equipment; and technology. For over 70 years, the company has enabled customers to become more productive, energy efficient and sustainable. More than 18,000 employees in over 40 countries supply innovative solutions to the energy, environment and emerging markets. These include semiconductor materials, refinery hydrogen, coal gasification, natural gas liquefaction, and advanced coatings and adhesives. In fiscal 2011, Air Products had sales of $10.1 billion. For more information, visit www.airproducts.com.

Media Enquiries:
Christine Smart
Tel: +44 (0) 121 456 3199

Air Products Increases Prices for Polyurethane Catalysts

Mon, 07 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Air Products (NYSE:APD) today announced that effective March 1, or as contracts allow, it will be increasing the price of its Dabco® TEDA based catalysts in all geographic regions.

The price increase is necessary to address escalating raw material costs.

Air Products (NYSE:APD) serves customers in industrial, energy, technology and healthcare markets worldwide with a unique portfolio of atmospheric gases, process and specialty gases, performance materials, and equipment and services. Founded in 1940, Air Products has built leading positions in key growth markets such as semiconductor materials, refinery hydrogen, home healthcare services, natural gas liquefaction, and advanced coatings and adhesives. The company is recognized for its innovative culture, operational excellence and commitment to safety and the environment. In fiscal 2010, Air Products had revenues of $9 billion, operations in over 40 countries, and 18,300 employees around the globe. For more information, visit www.airproducts.com.

NOTE: This release may contain forward-looking statements within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s reasonable expectations and assumptions as of the date of this release regarding important risk factors. Actual performance and financial results may differ materially from projections and estimates expressed in the forward-looking statements because of many factors not anticipated by management, including risk factors described in the Company’s Form 10K for its fiscal year ended September 30, 2010.

Air Products to Increase Prices for Polyurethane Additives and Curatives

Fri, 01 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0400

Air Products (NYSE: APD) today announced that, effective October 1, 2010 in Asia and November 1, 2010 in all other regions, or as contracts allow, it will increase prices by up to 10% for Versalink ® curatives, Dabco® silicone and organic surfactants, Dabco® metal catalysts, and select Dabco® and Polycat® amine catalysts.

Air Products (NYSE:APD) serves customers in industrial, energy, technology and healthcare markets worldwide with a unique portfolio of atmospheric gases, process and specialty gases, performance materials, and equipment and services. Founded in 1940, Air Products has built leading positions in key growth markets such as semiconductor materials, refinery hydrogen, home healthcare services, natural gas liquefaction, and advanced coatings and adhesives. The company is recognized for its innovative culture, operational excellence and commitment to safety and the environment. In fiscal 2009, Air Products had revenues of $8.3 billion, operations in over 40 countries, and 18,900 employees around the globe. For more information, visit www.airproducts.com.

NOTE: This release may contain forward-looking statements within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s reasonable expectations and assumptions as of the date of this release regarding important risk factors. Actual performance and financial results may differ materially from projections and estimates expressed in the forward-looking statements because of many factors not anticipated by management, including risk factors described in the Company’s Form 10K for its fiscal year ended September 30, 2009.

Air Products Increases Prices for Polyurethane Additives

Wed, 04 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0400

Air Products (NYSE:APD) today announced that, effective September 1, 2010, or as contracts allow, it will increase prices in North America, South America and South Africa on select Dabco® amine catalysts by 5%.

This price increase is necessary to offset key raw material cost increases the company has incurred over the past several months that impact select Dabco amine catalysts.

Air Products (NYSE:APD) serves customers in industrial, energy, technology and healthcare markets worldwide with a unique portfolio of atmospheric gases, process and specialty gases, performance materials, and equipment and services. Founded in 1940, Air Products has built leading positions in key growth markets such as semiconductor materials, refinery hydrogen, home healthcare services, natural gas liquefaction, and advanced coatings and adhesives. The company is recognized for its innovative culture, operational excellence and commitment to safety and the environment. In fiscal 2009, Air Products had revenues of $8.3 billion, operations in over 40 countries, and 18,900 employees around the globe. For more information, visit www.airproducts.com.

NOTE: This release may contain forward-looking statements. Actual results could vary materially, due to changes in current expectations.

Air Products Announces Price Increase for Polyurethane Additives

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Air Products (NYSE:APD) today announced that, effective April 1, 2010, it will increase prices for all polyurethane amine and metal catalysts, and silicone and organic surfactants marketed under the Dabco® and Polycat® trade names by 6% globally.

Air Products (NYSE:APD) serves customers in industrial, energy, technology and healthcare markets worldwide with a unique portfolio of atmospheric gases, process and specialty gases, performance materials, and equipment and services. Founded in 1940, Air Products has built leading positions in key growth markets such as semiconductor materials, refinery hydrogen, home healthcare services, natural gas liquefaction, and advanced coatings and adhesives. The company is recognized for its innovative culture, operational excellence and commitment to safety and the environment. In fiscal 2009, Air Products had revenues of $8.3 billion, operations in over 40 countries, and 18,900 employees around the globe. For more information, visitwww.airproducts.com.

NOTE: This release may contain forward-looking statements. Actual results could vary materially, due to changes in current expectations.

Air Products Reviews Its Non-emissive Polyurethane Additives Technologies at UTECH 2009

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500

At UTECH 2009, Air Products will review the recent developments in its polyurethane additives market, which address the increasing demand for foam products able to provide excellent physical properties with no emissions. The paper will be presented at the UTECH conference, on Tuesday 31st March at 14.30, auditorium A.

Air Products is committed to providing additives for the polyurethane industry aimed at addressing issues such as improved productivity, quality and cost while satisfying the constant demands for more environmentally friendly products. During the last few years, foam manufacturers have shown a growing interest for products with minimal emissions. Consequently, the industry has seen the development of technologies able to provide high quality finished products with minimal emanations into the environment. Demanding requirements for high performance and low or non-emissions from polyurethane products is a key requirement in many applications.

Over the last decade, Air Products has developed a variety of Dabco^® amine catalysts and silicone surfactants to actually address those issues. For more information on Air Products additives, please visit: www.airproducts.com/utech2009; or meet our sales team in the Rhine meeting room at the congress centre.

About Air Products
Air Products (NYSE:APD) serves customers in industrial, energy, technology and healthcare markets worldwide with a unique portfolio of atmospheric gases, process and specialty gases, performance materials, and equipment and services. Founded in 1940, Air Products has built leading positions in key growth markets such as semiconductor materials, refinery hydrogen, home healthcare services, natural gas liquefaction, and advanced coatings and adhesives. The company is recognized for its innovative culture, operational excellence and commitment to safety and the environment. Air Products has annual revenues of over $10 billion, operations in more than 40 countries, and 21,000 employees around the globe. For more information, visit www.airproducts.com.

Air Products Increases Prices for Polyurethane Chemicals

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Air Products (NYSE:APD)today announced that, effective October 1, 2008, it will be increasing the prices for all Dabco TEDA-based products by 10-20% and all other polyurethane catalysts and additives for the polyurethane market by 5-10%.

NOTE: This release may contain forward-looking statements. Actual results could vary materially, due to changes in current expectations.

Air Products Increases Prices for Dabco Surfactants

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Air Products (NYSE:APD) today announced that, effective August 1, 2008, it will be increasing the prices for all Dabco silicone and non-silicone surfactants for the polyurethane market by 7% in all regions of the world.

NOTE: This release may contain forward-looking statements. Actual results could vary materially, due to changes in current expectations.

Air Products Increases Prices for Polyurethane Prepolymers and Curatives

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Air Products (NYSE:APD) today announced that effective July 15, 2008, or as contracts allow, it will increase prices in North America on all Airthane® and Versathane® polyurethane prepolymers, and Versalink® polyurethane curatives. The amount of the price increase will vary based on product type and are detailed below:

Product	Increase
Polyether Backbone Prepolymers Airthane PET, PHP, PPT, APC and API series prepolymers (e.g. PET-95A, PHP-75D) Versathane 1090, 1160, and 2070	$0.12/lb
Polyester Backbone Prepolymers Airthane PST series prepolymers (e.g. PST-80A) Versathane A series prepolymers (e.g. A9, A9QM)	$0.10/lb
Versalink Curatives Versalink P1000, P650, P250, 740M and MCDEA	$0.10/lb

This price increase is necessary to offset increases in the cost of raw materials, transportation costs related to fuel prices, and container costs related to steel.

NOTE: This release may contain forward-looking statements. Actual results could vary materially, due to changes in current expectations.

Air Products Increases Prices for Polyurethane Chemicals

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Air Products (NYSE:APD) today announced that, effective July 1, 2008, it will be increasing the prices for all Dabco TEDA products by 6-10%, Polycat 8 by 5%, and metal-based catalysts by 10-20%, in all regions of the world.

NOTE: This release may contain forward-looking statements. Actual results could vary materially, due to changes in current expectations.

Air Products Increases Prices for Polyurethane Additives

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Air Products (NYSE:APD) today announced that, effective April 1, 2008, it will be increasing the prices for all polyurethane amine and metal-based catalysts by 5% in all regions of the world, excluding Dabco TEDA products in China where Air Products announced that, effective March 1, 2008, prices will increase on DABCO TEDA products by 5-15%.

Air Products (NYSE:APD) serves customers in industrial, energy, technology and healthcare markets worldwide with a unique portfolio of atmospheric gases, process and specialty gases, performance materials, and equipment and services. Founded in 1940, Air Products has built leading positions in key growth markets such as semiconductor materials, refinery hydrogen, home healthcare services, natural gas liquefaction, and advanced coatings and adhesives. The company is recognized for its innovative culture, operational excellence and commitment to safety and the environment. Air Products has annual revenues of $10 billion, operations in over 40 countries, and 22,000 employees around the globe. For more information, visit www.airproducts.com.

NOTE: This release may contain forward-looking statements. Actual results could vary materially, due to changes in current expectations.

Air Products Announces Price Increase for Polyurethane Catalysts

Wed, 19 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Air Products today announced that, effective January 15, 2008, it will be increasing the prices for Dabco^® TEDA based catalysts by 5-10%, Dabco DC silicone and organic based surfactants by 10%, and Dabco metal based catalysts by 5-10% in all geographic regions. Air Products will also be increasing prices on other select amine catalysts on a regional basis.

NOTE: This release may contain forward-looking statements. Actual results could vary materially, due to changes in current expectations.

Air Products Announces Price Increases for Polyurethane Catalysts

Wed, 05 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0400

Air Products today announced that, effective October 1, 2007, it will be increasing prices for Dabco TEDA based catalysts by 5–10% in all geographic regions. The company also will be increasing prices for other select Polycat amine catalysts and tin metal based catalysts by 5–10% on a regional basis.

NOTE: This release may contain forward-looking statements. Actual results could vary materially, due to changes in current expectations.

Air Products Completes Expansion of Its China Technology Center

Thu, 15 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0400

Air Products (NYSE: APD) has embarked on a major expansion of its China Technology Center in Shanghai to support the fast-growing businesses in Asia. The expanded center will further complement Air Products’ regional technology centers in Japan, Korea and Taiwan.

The expansion, built on space adjoining the current facility, has a high bay which is equipped with two high-pressure polyurethane machines and accessory tools for both rigid and flexible applications that supplement the existing shoe sole capability. Two spray booths, aqueous and non-aqueous, will be used for spray coating development. The new space also features a general-purpose lab with additional fume hoods, expanded chemicals storage areas and associated office space to provide new application and product development, technical services, process R&D and in-region analytical to support all businesses including Gases, Performance Materials and Electronics.

The expansion of the China Technology Center will enable Air Products to enhance its capabilities and material solution offerings, and bring support closer to its key customers in Asia, particularly in sectors such as polyurethane, coatings, inks, adhesives, civil engineering, personal care, cleaning, mining, oil field and other industries. These markets are growing at over 10 percent a year, and growth is expected to accelerate as China continues to develop as a global manufacturing center.

“This latest step in strengthening our technology capabilities will support our fast-growing businesses in China and across the Asia region,”said Wilbur Mok, Air Products’ Asia President. “Our new investment in China will bring us closer to our customers throughout the region, and increase the speed by which we create innovative solutions and value-added offerings that address the specific requirements of local markets.”

Bobby Chen, Air Products’ Asia Technology Director, said the expansion in Shanghai underscores Air Products’ commitment to driving growth through innovation. “Our Asian Technology Centers are fully integrated into our global technology network,” he said. “They complement and support one another, with each center having specific market focus in serving customers by leveraging the company’s strength in material and surface sciences, analytical technology, application and engineering excellence.”

The company has also recently upgraded its Electronics technology capabilities in Korea and Taiwan, and Performance Materials technology capabilities in Japan. The Electronics and Performance Materials business is one of Air Products’ four global business divisions.

Air Products (NYSE:APD) serves customers in industrial, energy, technology and healthcare markets worldwide with a unique portfolio of atmospheric gases, process and specialty gases, performance materials, and equipment and services. Founded in 1940, Air Products has built leading positions in key growth markets such as semiconductor materials, refinery hydrogen, home healthcare services, natural gas liquefaction, and advanced coatings and adhesives. The company is recognized for its innovative culture, operational excellence and commitment to safety and the environment and is listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability and FTSE4Good Indices. The company has annual revenues of $9 billion, operations in over 40 countries, and over 20,000 employees around the globe. For more information, visit www.airproducts.com.

NOTE: This release may contain forward-looking statements. Actual results could vary materially, due to changes in current expectations.

Air Products Completes Sale of Its Geismar, La. DNT Production Facility to BASF Corporation

Wed, 05 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0400

Air Products (NYSE: APD) today announced that it completed the sale of its dinitrotoluene (DNT) production facility in Geismar, La. to BASF Corporation for $155 million on March 31. Air Products had announced the planned sale on March 22 as part of its Polyurethane Intermediates business restructuring.

The plant is located at BASF's major manufacturing site in Geismar. The Air Products industrial gas facilities at this same location are not included in this proposed transaction and will continue to produce and supply hydrogen, carbon monoxide and syngas for BASF and other customers. This transaction does not include Air Products' Pasadena, Texas polyurethane intermediates facility, which continues to operate.

On March 22, Air Products also announced it is exploring the sale of its Amines and Polymers businesses, and was acquiring specialty surfactants producer Tomah3 Products, of Milton, Wis., to enhance its Performance Materials business. The Tomah acquisition was completed on March 31. Combined, these actions will enable the company to further sharpen its focus on its four growth platforms: Energy and Process Industries, Electronics, Homecare, and Performance Materials, as well as its position in the Asia region. The company also announced it was accelerating its return of cash to shareholders through a $1.5 billion share repurchase program and increased its quarterly dividend from $0.32 to $0.34. The dividend is payable on May 8, 2006 to shareholders of record at the close of business on April 3, 2006.

Air Products (NYSE:APD) serves customers in technology, energy, healthcare and industrial markets worldwide with a unique portfolio of products, services and solutions, providing atmospheric gases, process and specialty gases, performance materials and chemical intermediates. Founded in 1940, Air Products has built leading positions in key growth markets such as semiconductor materials, refinery hydrogen, home healthcare services, natural gas liquefaction, and advanced coatings and adhesives. The company is recognized for its innovative culture, operational excellence and commitment to safety and the environment and is listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability and FTSE4Good Indices. The company has annual revenues of $8.1 billion, operations in over 30 countries, and over 20,000 employees around the globe. For more information, visit www.airproducts.com.

NOTE: This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on management's reasonable expectations and assumptions as of the date of this release regarding important risk factors. Actual performance and financial results may differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements because of many factors, including those specifically referenced as future events or outcomes that the company anticipates as well as, among other things, overall economic and business conditions different than those currently anticipated and demand for Air Products' goods and services during that time; competitive factors in the industries in which it competes; interruption in ordinary sources of supply; the ability to recover unanticipated increased energy and raw material costs from customers; uninsured litigation judgments or settlements; changes in government regulations; consequences of acts of war or terrorism impacting the United States' and other markets; charges related to currently undetermined portfolio management and cost reduction actions; the success of implementing cost reduction programs; the timing, impact, ability to complete and other uncertainties of future acquisitions or divestitures or unanticipated contract terminations; significant fluctuations in interest rates and foreign currencies from that currently anticipated; the impact of tax and other legislation and regulations in jurisdictions in which Air Products and its affiliates operate; the recovery of insurance proceeds; the impact of new financial accounting standards, including the expensing of employee stock options; and the timing and rate at which tax credits can be utilized. The company disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained in this release to reflect any change in the company's assumptions, beliefs or expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances upon which any such forward-looking statements are based.

Air Products To Increase Prices For Polyurethane Amine And Metal Catalysts, Silicone Surfactants And Specialty Products

Fri, 21 Oct 2005 00:00:00 -0400

Effective November 15, 2005, Air Products will implement a price increase of up to ten percent, or as contracts allow, in Europe, Middle East and Africa for all Dabco® and Polycat® polyurethane amine and metal catalysts, Dabco DC® silicone surfactants and LK® surfactants.

This price increase is necessary to at least partially offset significant cost increases seen in raw materials, energy, fuel, and distribution expenses. Air Products is a global leader in the polyurethane additives industry, offering products and technologies that enable its customers to maintain and grow their businesses profitably.

Air Products To Increase Prices For Polyurethane Amine And Metal Catalysts, Silicone Surfactants And Specialty Products

Tue, 11 Oct 2005 00:00:00 -0400

Air Products (NYSE:APD) today announced that, effective October 15, 2005, it will implement a price increase of five percent, or as contracts allow, in the United States and Canada for all Dabco® and Polycat® polyurethane amine and metal catalysts, Dabco® DC silicone surfactants, LK® surfactants, and specialty products, including BDO, DEOLA-LF, VS-103®, and PEP® promoters.

This price increase is necessary to offset significant cost increases seen in raw materials, energy, fuel, and distribution expenses. Market prices for petrochemicals, fuel, and metals purchased for the production and distribution of these products increased steadily throughout 2005, but more dramatically over recent weeks.

Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. is a global leader in the polyurethane additives industry, offering products and technologies that enable its customers to maintain and grow their businesses profitably.

NOTE: This release may contain forward-looking statements. Actual results could vary materially, due to changes in current expectations.

Air Products to Increase Prices for Polyurethane Surfactants and Amine Catalysts under Dabco® and Polycat® Trademark

Mon, 25 Oct 2004 00:00:00 -0400

Air Products (NYSE:APD) today announced that, effective November 15, 2004, it will implement a global price increase on all Dabco® polyurethane surfactants and amine catalysts, and Polycat® polyurethane amine catalysts, by 6% and metal-based catalysts by 10%, or as contracts allow, as it is no longer possible to absorb rising costs without increasing prices.

This increase is necessary to offset rapidly escalating energy and raw material costs associated with the production of these products despite the company's best efforts to offset these increases with ongoing productivity improvements.

Air Products remains committed to investing in its polyurethane additives business, and offering the products and technologies that enable its customers to maintain and grow their businesses profitably.

***NOTE: This release may contain forward-looking statements. Actual results could vary materially, due to changes in current expectations.

Air Products Introduces Comprehensive Polyurethane Additives North American Web Site

Mon, 05 Feb 2001 00:00:00 -0500

Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE:APD) has introduced a comprehensive Polyurethane Additives Web site for its North American customers. The site—www.airproducts.com/puradditives—offers the company's valued customers and prospective customers instant access to detailed information on its extensive line of polyurethane additives, marketed under the Dabco®, Polycat® and LK® trademarks.

The site includes product selection tools that allow formulators to quickly and accurately find the correct mix of additives to meet all their specific needs. Products for 23 different applications within the main market segments of the polyurethane industry are available. Data sheets and Material Safety Data Sheets for products of interest also are available, at the click of the button. In addition, if a sample is desired, this comprehensive site contains a link to the company's online sample ordering system through which up to five 'free of charge' samples can be ordered.

For those customers requiring additional help, the site includes a direct link to the Chemicals Product Information Center polyurethane technical representative, available from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST.

Commenting on the new site, Jeff Kramer, global business director for Air Products' polyurethane chemicals business, said, "Air Products has been serving the needs of the polyurethane industry for over 30 years. Based on our deep understanding of the market and its participants, we have developed this comprehensive site to better serve our valued customers as their businesses change to meet the evolving demands of the industry. We hope that our efforts will help streamline their specific business, reduce costs and save valuable time that can be rededicated elsewhere." He pointed out that Air Products plans to continue adding tools to make access to information on the company's product lines, key industry trends and upcoming events faster and easier. Air Products also plans to expand this site to include similar information and tools for Europe, Asia and Latin America in the coming months.

This new Internet initiative is the latest addition to Air Products' extensive, award-winning Web site. Recently, the company also introduced the APDirect™ system, an enhanced Internet ordering application designed to make it easier for customers and sales channel partners to do business with the company. Existing U.S. customers can register to use this application at www.air products.com/apdirect.

Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (www.airproducts.com) is the world's only combined gases and chemicals company. Founded more than 60 years ago and headquartered in eastern Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley, the company has annual revenues of $5.5 billion and operations in 30 countries. Air Products is a market leader in the global electronics and chemical processing industries, and a longstanding innovator in basic manufacturing sectors, including steel, metal, glass and food processing. The company distinguishes itself through its 17,500 employees around the world, who build lasting relationships with their customers and communities based on understanding, integrity and passion.

Note: This release may contain forward-looking statements. Actual results could vary materially, due to changes in current expectations.