MCNS Launches Environment-friendly Polyurethane Raw Material Nextyol

Effective in Reducing Sick Car Syndrome or Smell from New Furniture



● Over 50% less volatile organic compounds (VOC) discharged from automobile interior materials

● MCNS to develop bio-polyol and other environment-friendly products actively



Mitsui Chemicals & SKC Polyurethanes Inc., a joint venture company between SKC (CEO Lee Wan-jae) and Mitsui Chemicals (CEO Tannowa Tsutomu), disclosed on the 4th that it launched Nextyol, a raw material for polyurethane that can help reduce the “Sick Car Syndrome” or “New Furniture Odor.”



Nextyol, which was jointly developed by MCNS Ulsan Laboratory and Sodegaura Research Institute, Japan at the end of last year, is an environment-friendly polyol product, the raw material for polyurethane used on automobiles, consumer electronic appliances, furniture, and interior decoration materials. Polyurethane is made by mixing polyol and isocyanates (MDI/TDI). Nextyol has reduced the discharge of VOCs such as acetaldehyde and formaldehyde, which cause the “Sick Car Syndrome,” compared to existing products.



Acetaldehyde is a toxic substance that causes atopy and rhinitis. It is included in cigarette smoke and is known to cause tobaccoism together with nicotine. Formaldehyde is a 1st-grade carcinogen, and it exacerbates atopy symptoms.



MCNS Nextyol is a new product that has reduced both acetaldehyde and formaldehyde. According to results of the test conducted by an independent rating agency on car seats, Nextyol was found to have reduced acetaldehyde and formaldehyde content by over 50%. When an additive is used, only one ingredient is reduced. In contrast, Nextyol could reduce both ingredients by improving the polyol reaction mechanism per se.



Nextyol attracts attention as control of air quality inside automobiles is being strengthened at home and abroad. In particular, the Korean government has controlled the air quality of newly produced cars since 2010. The Chinese and Japanese governments have also strengthened related specifications, and they also plan to strengthen control by amending related statutes.



According to an MCNS executive, car makers and producers of car interior materials have been making efforts to reduce VOC discharge from their products in order to respond to market requirements. “Customers have great expectations of Nextyol since it can reduce both acetaldehyde and formaldehyde at the same time,” he explained. Nextyol can be used widely for many polyurethane products, including car seats and sound-absorbing or blocking materials for car interior (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness - NVH).



Nextyol is also effective in reducing odor from new furniture. When Nextyol is used for mattress or chair cushion, new furniture odor can be reduced. “When used on furniture, the VOC discharge was reduced to one third compared to existing products, and the feeling of comfort increased. Great response is expected in the markets for premium bedding and infant beds,” the MCNS executive said. MCNS plans to have Nextyol applied to more furniture products through aggressive marketing.



MCNS also intends to respond actively to the environment-friendly trend. The MCNS executive went on to add that they plan to develop environment-friendly products aggressively at the India-_ base_d bio-polyol factory, which produces polyol using oil extracted from pamaja and other plants.



MCNS is a 50:50 joint venture company between SKC and Mitsui Chemicals, Japan by spinning off their polyurethane business in July 2015. MCNS operates polyurethane production facilities at 10 locations worldwide, including USA, Mexico, China, and Poland. It also operates in India a bio-polyol factory that produces polyol using oil extracted from pamaja and other plants. [End]