Polyurethanes

Sit back andAs consumer expectations andvehicle technical complexity continue
to grow, see how you can deliver
next-generation comfort with theunique properties of Huntsman’s
MDI-based seating solutions.

Interview withIrina Bolshakova
Market Manager, Automotive/Transportation EMEA,
Huntsman Polyurethanes

enjoy the rideA

lot goes into making the perfectseat – quite literally. It can take
15 kg of foam or more to deliver
the levels of comfort end-consumers
have come to expect. But integrations likeheating, air conditioning, lumbar supportand airbags are taking up more spacefrom foam.
Meanwhile, sleek, thin seats areincreasingly fashionable. How canyou not only maintain but continuously
increase comfort in your seating?

What’s driving the industry?
“A year ago, I don’t think anyone could
have predicted this. While macro
trends like autonomous, connected
and electric vehicles continue to set thedirection, COVID-19 has put additional
emphasis on comfort and hygiene,”says Irina Bolshakova, Market Manager,
Automotive/Transportation EMEA,
Huntsman Polyurethanes.
Consumer preferences could well
return to private vehicles, even among
younger populations, due to a need forhygiene and “virus safety”. With moretime being spent in private vehicles, newtechnologies provide the opportunity todeliver new levels of comfort and safety
to these drivers and passengers.

Polyurethanes

Make a lasting impression
Huntsman’s RUBIFLEX®
MDI-based product line provides
unique properties that can betranslated into high-performanceseating foam. Compared toTDI, MDI offers increased
comfort throughout the lifetimeof the foam. “Initial comfort, or
showroom comfort, is a key
element – and a focus area for
the Huntsman team – as it is our
first impression when entering acar,” explains Irina Bolshakova.
RUBIFLEX® polyurethane
systems can help get a smoothand soft initial feeling, while still
providing excellent support whensomeone changes their positionin the seat. You can also meet theneeds of a broad range of drivers
and passengers across different
ages, weights and builds.
RUBIFLEX Gradient Hardness
polyurethane system maintains a
difference in hardness between
the top and middle foam layer,
while still remaining one uniform
foam piece.
®

Traditional foam

Gradient Hardness foamThis provides good body support
and pressure distribution, leading
to maximum comfort across thevehicle’s lifetime.
A smooth ride frombeginning to end
Road vibrations can cause car
sickness, preventing people
from driving for medium or longdistances. Another RUBIFLEX®
polyurethane system – Advanced
Comfort – can absorb thesevibrations and improve dynamic
comfort for various drive patterns.
“The vibration damping
characteristics of our Advanced
Comfort technology open up all
kinds of possibilities to redesign
the vehicle interior inspiredby new mobility trends,” Irina
Bolshakova adds. “This could
be with thin seats or a different
seat structure to improve thein-vehicle space.” All thesesolutions also contribute toimproving the indoor air quality
while reducing Volatile Organic
Compound (VOC) emissions
and odour.

Photo courtesy of Mazda

Initial comfort, orshowroom comfort,
is a key element – anda focus area for theHuntsman team – as itis our first impression
when entering a car.
Irina Bolshakova
Market Manager, Automotive/Transportation
EMEA, Huntsman Polyurethanes

MAZDA ACHIEVES “TRUE COMFORT”WITH RUBIFLEX® POLYURETHANE SYSTEM

Looking to the road ahead
On our development roadmap is
a one-piece seat, where the seatback, seat cushion and headrest
are integrated in one piece witha variety of hardnesses. We
are also working on ultra-thinseats with increased comfort
and reduced weight, andinvestigating the integration ofelectronics and foam for control,safety and entertainment.
“Our global Research andTechnology (R&T) teams
can help you develop new,differentiated and valuable
solutions that meet your needs
exactly,” says Irina Bolshakova.
“Backed by 40 years ofexperience and expertise, we’re
ready to take you into a new eraof comfort.”
Learn more about theRUBIFLEX® product line

Huntsman was selected as Mazda’s partner in its quest for
the ultimate seating systems. From seating covers and foam
pads to springs and frames, Mazda needed multiple elements
to work together seamlessly to support the body and deliver“true comfort”.
Meeting all of Mazda’s comfort and pressure distribution
requirements in a single foam, RUBIFLEX® HR GH polyurethane
system requires no extra bonding, which helps to keep materialand processing costs down. The material has subsequently beenused in the new Mazda 3, which has received positive press
reviews, including specific references to the comfort of the seats.

About Huntsman Polyurethanes• Huntsman Polyurethanes is an early pioneer ofpolyurethane-based seating, providing solutions
for automotive seating for 40 years•

Today, every 5th car in the world has Huntsman
MDI-based formulations inside its seats•

Our RUBIFLEX® polyurethane-based product line
includes fully formulated systems, polyurethanecomponents and prepolymers to produce a widerange of seating applications with enhanced comfort

NOTHING HEREIN IS TO BE CONSTRUED AS A WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR OTHERWISE. IN ALL CASES, ITIS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE USER TO DETERMINE THE APPLICABILITY OF SUCH INFORMATION ANDRECOMMENDATIONS AND THE SUITABILITY OF ANY PRODUCT FOR ITS OWN PARTICULAR PURPOSE