Lonza to grow PU applications by taking over distribution

Basel, Switzerland - Lonza has decided to further develop the market for its Lonzacure chain extender in direct collaborations with end users. The Basel-based group has therefore decided to distribute its Lonzacure M-CDEA products directly, without a distribution partner, and said this is "based on our optimised logistics & warehousing processes." As a result, the existing distribution agreement between Air Products & Chemicals Inc. and Lonza was terminated 12 Sept 2007. Lonza said it has served the North-American market in collaboration with Air Products for almost 10 years, and thanked Air Products for its co-operation and partnership. The company describes Lonzacure M-CDEA as "an outstanding chain extender for high-performance cast polyurethane applications." Users should preferably use the extender with low-free TDI (toluene diisocyanate) polyurethane prepolymers, said the company.Lonza says the material "provides excellent mechanical properties with low heat build-up under regular high compression loads, superior hydrolytic resistance up to temperatures of 150°C (300°F), low wear and tear, and can be processed easily with ribbon-flow technology." Lonzacure M-CDEA has also been approved in Europe for PU coatings used in contact with food, the company added. Lonza stressed its continued commitment to supplying Lonzacure to the cast polyurethane and epoxy industries and said it has been producing a series of aromatic amines under the trade name Lonzacure for more than 20 years from its main plant in Switzerland (pictured)."