-moreNews Release

Contact: Jeanne Cobetto 

Media Line: 412-777-5200 

Fax: 412-778-4430 

 E-mail: Jeanne.Cobetto.b@bayer.com

Bayer MaterialScience Researcher Evaluates HFC Emissions During 

Foaming Operations 

 

HOUSTON, Oct. 17, 2005 — Following the HCFC-141b production phase-out in 2002, the U.S. 

appliance industry converted to HFC-245fa and HFC-134a as its polyurethane foam blowing 

agents. While these hydrofluorocarbons do not deplete the ozone layer, they are greenhouse 

gasses whose atmospheric emissions should be minimized. Although previous studies have 

looked at the emissions of blowing agents from refrigerators after they are foamed, only minimal 

information has been reported on the amount of blowing agent that is lost during foaming. A 

Bayer MaterialScience researcher will provide insight into the amount of HFC-245fa and HFC134a released to the atmosphere during foaming operations as a function of foam formulation 

and processing conditions at the Alliance for the Polyurethanes Industry’s Polyurethanes 

Technical Conference & Trade Fair, taking place Oct. 17-19, 2005, in Houston. 

Steve L. Aprahamian, Ph.D., senior scientist, Technical Insulation Development Group, Bayer 

MaterialScience, will present his paper, Quantification of HFC Blowing Agent Emissions of 

Typical Appliance Insulating Foam, 10:45 a.m., Tuesday, October 18. J.M. Bowman, principal 

engineer, Blowing Agent Technical Service and Development Group, Honeywell International 

Inc., also authored the paper. 

Bayer MaterialScience LLC 

100 Bayer Road 

Pittsburgh, PA 15205-9741 

412-777-2000 
Bayer MaterialScience Researcher Evaluates HFC Emissions During Foaming Operations - 2 

-moreIn all polyurethane foaming operations, some quantity of blowing agent is lost during the 

foaming process. This is reflected by the fill density – the amount of foam required to fill the 

mold or part. According to Aprahamian, the intent of the study was to quantify the emission of 

blowing agents during the foaming process by replicating the foaming operations of a generic 

refrigerator factory. In a typical commercial refrigerator manufacturing process, both cabinets 

and doors of various sizes are foamed. The surrogate process used in this study involved 

foaming of a Bosch mold of known volume under controlled conditions. 

In this study, the main predictor of blowing agent losses was the ‘volatility’ of the blowing agent 

in the foam formulation, which includes blowing agent boiling point and its solubility in the polyol, 

among other factors. Aprahamian points out that further study in a commercial refrigeration 

operation would be beneficial, as it would allow for the incorporation of vessel levels, vessel 

pressure and foam head conditions, as well as other operational characteristics. 

Reducing HFC blowing agent emissions is not only positive for the environment, but can also 

lead to reduced costs for appliance manufacturers, according to Aprahamian. “If there is less 

material in the air, there is more material in the part, so less liquid would be needed for the 

same part weight. Less loss of blowing agent can lead to reduced part density through 

increased blowing in the system. Additionally, more blowing agent in the cells will help to lower 

the k-factor of the foam and increase its insulating ability,” he explained. 

For more information about polyurethane technologies or a copy of this technical paper, call 

1-800-662-2927 or visit www.BayerMaterialScienceNAFTA.com. 

Bayer MaterialScience LLC is one of the leading producers of polymers and highperformance plastics in North America and is part of the global Bayer MaterialScience business 

with 18,000 employees at 40 sites around the world and 2004 sales of 8.6 billion euros. Our 

innovative developments in coating, adhesive and sealant raw materials, polycarbonates, 

polyurethanes and thermoplastic urethane elastomers enhance the design and functionality of 

products in a wide variety of markets, including the automotive, construction, electrical and 

electronics, household and medical industries, and the sports and leisure fields. Our inorganic 

basic chemicals unit produces chlorine and related essential products for the chemicals 

industry. Let us give life to your vision. Bayer MaterialScience – Where VisionWorks.
Bayer MaterialScience Researcher Evaluates HFC Emissions During Foaming Operations - 3 

Bayer Corporation, headquartered in Pittsburgh, is part of the worldwide Bayer Group, an 

international health care, nutrition and innovative materials group based in Leverkusen, 

Germany. In North America, as of April 2005, Bayer employed about 16,000 and had net sales 

of 8.3 billion euros. Bayer’s three operating companies – Bayer HealthCare LLC, Bayer 

CropScience LP and Bayer MaterialScience LLC – improve people’s lives through a broad 

range of essential products that help diagnose and treat diseases, protect crops and advance 

automobile safety and durability. 

# # # 

This news release contains forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer 

Group management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material 

differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the 

estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in our public reports filed with the Frankfurt Stock 

Exchange and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (including our Form 20-F). The company assumes 

no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or 

developments.