1. TPUs FOR EVERYDAY SPORTS, LEISURE AND APPAREL APPLICATIONS
THERMOPLASTIC POLYURETHANES
TPUs FOR EVERYDAY SPORTS, LEISURE AND APPAREL APPLICATIONS
Welcome everyone. Thanks for joining us today. We are here this morning to talk to you about Huntsman’s work in the field of polyurethanes. This year at K we’ll be focusing on polyurethane innovation and how our PU chemistries are helping to make the world a better place. Today, my colleague and I are going to talk about two different strands of this work.
I’ll be looking at the use of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) in the sports, leisure and apparel sector. I’ll be explaining how TPU is used to make active wear that is more comfortable, attractive and performance enhancing; and how material innovation in this field is having a positive impact in other market sectors. Then I’ll hand over to my colleague from Huntsman Tecnoelastomeri, who’ll spend some time explaining our work downstream in some very exciting industrial applications.
“Setting the pace for innovation in industrial plastics”
Speaker: Craig Roberts, Marketing Manager Europe TPU

2. THERMOPLASTIC POLYURETHANES: KEY APPLICATIONS
Thermoplastic Polyurethanes (TPUs) – incredibly versatile, reliable material
Industrial applications
Consumer applications
Sports industry
Leisure industry
Apparel industry
New styles introduced frequently in a competitive market
Materials innovation – rapid and continuous
My area of expertise is TPU – one of the most versatile, reliable materials available today. TPUs have multiple benefits in the design, manufacture and performance of everyday items – from consumer goods to highly specialized industrial applications help to keep the world’s population active, healthy, mobile and connected with one another. The breadth of TPUs appeal is demonstrated by the vast array of markets we serve - one of which is the sports, leisure and apparel industry.
The sports, leisure and apparel sector is one of the fastest moving industries that we’re active in. It’s a significant market producing consumer goods on a global scale. The sector is governed by short style seasons and trends that shift quickly. Change is the only constant in this field. With goalposts continually moving, brands compete by standing out from their competition.
The core challenge for manufacturers in this market is to find novel ways to differentiate their offering. More often than not, creating a point of difference comes down to material choice. That’s where we come in. Designers and manufacturers want materials to give them the competitive edge in terms of design and performance. So innovation in this sector is continuous and rapid.

3. THERMOPLASTIC POLYURETHANES: KEY APPLICATIONS
We work with some of the world’s best-known brands in sports, leisure and apparel
Innovation partner – creating materials with specific properties for a variety of applications
Transparent
Soft and elastic
Superlight and resilient
Anti-static
Abrasion resistant
Use our industry know-how to evolve technologies for use elsewhere.
In the sports, leisure and apparel sector we work closely with some of the world’s best-known brands. We find novel uses for existing thermoplastic technologies and develop new materials with specific processing and performance properties. Over the years we’ve worked on many different innovation projects in the sector, developing materials that are transparent; soft and elastic; superlight yet incredibly resilient; anti-static; abrasion resistant; and more recently TPU grades suitable for processing via 3d printing techniques.
Used in sports, leisure and apparel applications, these materials enable people to exercise and keep fit in comfort and style. In fact, you probably own some sports kit that includes our TPU. The interesting thing about the materials we develop for the sports, leisure and apparel industry is that their value doesn't stop at this sector.
At Huntsman, whenever we develop a new material we think about the bigger picture; about challenges in other sectors; and if the materials we’ve developed can be used elsewhere. Taking materials from the sports sector – where innovation is frequent and rapid – and transferring them to other applications, can be hugely beneficial. And there are some specific examples I want to talk you through now.

4. TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER: LIGHTCOLOR AND TRANSPARENT / UV RESISTANT TPUS
Clear demand for transparent / UV resistant materials in sports applications
UV stable, non-blooming TPUs – particularly popular in footwear
Adapted the technology for applications in the conveyor belting industry
Also used in hoses exposed to sunlight e.g. water supply / mineral extraction.
For many years there has been clear demand in the sports, leisure and apparel industry for transparent plastic materials. In the footwear sector, transparent materials are used to create soling systems as well as other decorative elements. Transparent materials must of course be UV stable. So we’ve worked closely with leading sports shoe manufacturers to develop TPU materials that are resistant to ultra violet light and won’t discolor or degrade prematurely. At the same time we ensure that the stabilizers used conform to the latest requirements in terms of health and safety.
Subsequently we’ve adapted these materials for use in the food industry – creating a solution for equipment manufacturers that want belting materials that are UV resistant. Many companies in the food industry use UV light to sterilize conveyor belts that carry items for human consumption. It’s a key way of eradicating germs. As the belts are used for conveying food the UV stabilizers developed for sports brands may be considered.

5. TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER: ELASTICITY
Demand for super soft elastic TPUs for technical textile applications
Need for materials that can be processed at low temperatures
Now being used in smart garments featuring embedded electronics.
For years our TPUs – many of which are super soft and elastic– have been used to create technical textiles. The latest developments can be processed at lower temperatures and are widely used in sports clothing to laminate novel fabrics.
Today, these materials are being used to create a new generation of smart clothing; garments with electronics embedded into the fabric. The fact that TPUs can be laminated at low temperatures makes them ideal for use alongside components that are heat sensitive.

6. TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER: ENERGY RETURN
Sports footwear – energy return – increasing interest
Low density, high resilience TPUs used to enhance performance
Huge potential in industrial projects - flooring surfaces to car seating.
In the sports industry the market for running shoes that offer specific rebound properties is increasing. Consumers that are committed to exercise now expect some form of energy return to help improve their performance. TPU is the ideal material for these kinds of applications and shows huge growth potential. Today, TPUs exist that have low-density levels on a par with traditional materials but offer better performance in terms of resilience, durability and energy return.
Moving forward, we foresee low-density TPUs becoming popular outside of the footwear industry in, for example, resilient flooring applications. They could also be used to create novel seating systems for cars where there is a need for lightweight materials that are thinner without compromising comfort levels.

7. TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER: ANTI-STATIC
Anti-static materials for safety footwear
Adapted technology for use in hoses and tubes market
Employed to convey powders / sensitive materials prone to sticking.
Huntsman has a long history of producing materials for the safety footwear sector. In this application, anti-static properties are normally a key requirement.
Over the years we’ve adapted these materials for use in the manufacture of industrial hoses for the transportation of powders or sensitive materials. Here, anti-static characteristics can prevent powders and materials sticking during transportation and processing. Examples include spiral hoses used to convey color pigments for paints and concrete production.

8. TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER: ABRASION
Extremely abrasion resistant TPU developed for football boots
Hardwearing studs for volcanic ash pitches
Adapted for use in construction equipment.
Many years ago we developed improved abrasion resistant types of TPU for use in football boots sold in particular countries. These boots had to be abrasion resistant as they were designed for use on volcanic ash pitches.
Today, derivatives of these hardwearing materials are being used in industrial applications including construction equipment. For example, in hand controlled whacker-plates that are used to flatten out roads and pavements prior to resurfacing.

9. TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER: CUSTOMIZATION IN 3D PRINTING
Use of TPUs in 3D printing is increasing
Early adoption in footwear industry – working with leaders in this field
TPU – ideal for 3D printing in performance applications.
The growth of 3D printing is another area where the use of TPUs is increasing and where innovation is important. The footwear industry has – naturally – been very quick to adopt 3d manufacturing techniques. A growing number of companies now offer customers bespoke shoes, custom made to fit their feet perfectly. This is of enormous benefit to people with specific podiatry problems.
Having demonstrated their suitability to 3D printing in the footwear sector, the use of TPU in other application areas – that need functional parts – will undoubtedly grow.

10. TPU TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER: A WORLD OF OPPORTUNITY
Thanks for your time today. Hopefully the examples I’ve given today demonstrate the versatility of TPU as a polyurethane chemistry and have shown you what’s possible with some lateral thinking.
I’ve revealed a bit about our work in the sports, leisure and apparel industry and how that translates into other sectors – giving you a few examples – of which there are many more.
We intend to reveal more about our work in developing innovative TPUs for both consumer and industrial applications at K in October. We hope you can stop by the stand to see our materials in action and to meet the team.
In the meantime, does anyone have any questions? If not, I’ll hand over to my colleague from Huntsman Tecnoelastomeri.