Everything you should know about low-monomer & no-MDI PU foams

Low-monomer and no-MDI PU foams mark the beginning of a new era of foam technology.

The rising popularity of low-isocyanate-monomer and isocyanate-free (no-MDI) polyurethane  foams reflects the construction industry’s broader shift towards healthier, safer, and more environmentally friendly products. To achieve a safer living environment, our expert R&D teams in Spain and Estonia, in collaboration with suppliers, local universities and research institutions, continuously develop new products with safer raw materials.

Wolf Group’s state-of-the-art PU foam factory in Gava, Spain, serves as the European competence centre forlow-monomer and no-MDI PU foam production, positioning us at the forefront of very-low-monomer PU foam innovation. Our PU foam portfolio includes spray foams, gun and straw foams, as well as foam adhesives. The popularity of new-generation products is due to their improved or safer characteristics.

PRO:

  • Enhanced UV resistance: While regular PU foams need to be covered with an opaque material as soon as the foam has cured, these foams can tolerate brief exposure to UV and direct sunlight without damaging the foam properties.
  • Very good movement capability
  • High elasticity and low curing pressure: Foams have an elastic structure and low curing pressure, which makes them especially suitable for movable and pressure-sensitive joints, such as window and door joints.
  • Dense structure: The even and dense foam structure guarantees airtightness and excellent sound and thermal insulation properties.
  • High thermal and acoustic insulation value
  • There is no need to moisten surfaces before using low-monomer gun or straw foams.
  • Safer to use: Low-monomer and no-MDI PU foams are safe to handle and apply. There is no need to use gloves or other protective equipment during application. However, we still advise using protective gear to prevent getting your hands dirty. In addition, professional users of these foams are exempt from obligatory FEICA training.
  • These products come with Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and are compliant with BREEAM and LEED green building standards.

CON:

  • Compared to regular foams, low-monomer and no-MDI products have slower curing times.
  • Higher density results in a lower product yield.
  • The application temperature of some foams may be higher, starting from +10 °C.
  • Very-low-monomer sprayable foams are pricier than regular foams and therefore not meant for large-scale insulation works.

The formulation and manufacturing method of low-monomer and no-MDI foams doesn’t set any restrictions on application areas.

  • Most no-MDIandlow-monomer gun and straw foams are meant for the installation of window and door frames or sealing of thermal and acoustic insulation boards, reducing the impact of thermal bridges.
  • Sprayable foam is suitable for thermal and sound insulation of buildings, vehicles, vessels and uneven surfaces. They are useful for insulation repairs and insulating hard-to-reach places.

Portfolio highlights

  • Sprayable very-low-monomer gun foam for sealing and insulating all types of challenging places, including uneven and round surfaces, where using traditional insulation materials is difficult.
  • Gasket foam is an elastic one-component insulation gun foam for sealing between a timber frame and drywall.