JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #57 - May 2010 - 20

BUSINESS
Trends

When innovation meets bio-based products
Cimteclab S.p.A. is a research and development company that belongs to the Cimtec holding group, with manufacturing facilities in Europe, Asia and South America. Cimteclab specializes in various fields of application including bio-polymers, composites, protective coatings and flame retardants.

ANDREA MAZZOLI SALES DEPARTMENT CIMTECLAB S.P.A.

imteclab is a fast-growing company currently investing millions of euros in the production of three key products brands: Exaphen®, Nanofire® and Silaneat. With more than 10 years of R&D experience, Cimteclab strives to develop innovative solutions to meet its customers’ needs by focusing on competitiveness and environmental sustainability.

Cimteclab’s approach: form the fruit to the starting monomer/reagent/material

Polycard polyols have a final biorenewable content higher than 66% and several additional advantages. Cardanol polyols are compatible with both conventional and other natural oil polyols, which means they can be mixed with them. Their high reactivity with isocyanates also means that catalyst levels can be decreased and water can be used as a blowing agent. Furthermore, Polycard polyols are suitable for the production of rigid polyurethane foams showing physical and foam properties superior or comparable to conventional polyols such as structural sandwich panel cores according to ASTM E 1730. In some cases, Polycard polyols show improved flame retardant properties.

Bio-resins
The Exaphen® brand includes a wide range of monomers and polymers derived from bio-renewable sources for the production of polymers, resins and composites. These products combine low contents of petroleum derivatives, high-end performance and economical competitiveness. Environmental sustainability has been one of the most discussed issues of the past decade. The Exaphen® technology re-uses food and agriculture industry by-products to avoid additional raw material sources and to minimise the ecological footprint. More specifically, Exaphen® products are derived from cardanol, produced by the distillation of cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL). The phenolic structure of these products

provides several advantages like formulation versatility, chemical resistance and mechanical strength, thus leading the way in the production of high-performance materials. Two lines of products are currently available, Polycard and Novocard, providing solutions to a variety of markets, including automotive, aerospace, construction, marine, home and utilities, coatings and packaging.

Bio-polyols
Polycard™ products are cardanol-based polyols that can be used as ingredients in a wide range of polyurethane formulations comprising rigid insulating foams, flexible slab stocks and moulded foams, adhesives and sealants. Polyurethanes produced with

Polyurethanic rigid foam produced from the new cardanol polyols

Bio-novolacs
Novocard™ novolacs are available as thermosetting phenolic resins, epoxy curing agents and high-molecularweight polyols. They are suitable for

jec composites magazine / No57 May 2010

JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #57 - May 2010

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #57 - May 2010