Gurten, Austria – Covestro and KraussMaffei and RWTH, Aachen University have been awarded the 2017 FSK Innovation Award for polyurethane for work with pultrusion.
Covestro, KraussMaffei and RTWH Aachen share award
(l to r),Wolfgang Hinz, KraussMaffei; Benedikt Kilian, Covestro; Albecht Manderscheid, FSK; and Alexander, Strieholt, Dow.
The judges commended the increased cost-efficiency of the method for processors and the partnering approach to the project. The award was presented at the FSK’s annual Specialist Polyurethanes Conference. The FSK is Germany's specialist foamed polymers association.
Pultruded polyurethanes have been proved in thermally insulating window frames and in reinforcing rotor-blades for wind turbines and offer potential for continuously produced sections but, the process was not sufficiently industrialised until the trio took action, said FSK.
The partners enhanced the chemistry, technology and process to increase production speed and improve quality allowing costs to fall. The key is a closed impregnation chamber with direct resin injection. This avoids unpleasant smells and gives precise temperature management improving production, FSK added.
