Low-odor catalyst LE-15: The driving force for the development of the polyurethane industry in a greener direction

admin 3月 12th, 2025 News

Low Odor Catalyst LE-15: The driving force for the development of the polyurethane industry in a greener direction

In the industrial field, there is a material that has attracted much attention for its outstanding performance and wide range of uses – it is polyurethane (PU). From sofas and mattresses that can be seen everywhere in daily life, to car seats and sports soles, to building insulation materials, polyurethane is everywhere. However, in the production of polyurethanes, traditional catalysts often produce unpleasant odors and may even cause potential harm to the environment and human health. To solve this problem, a low-odor catalyst called LE-15 came into being. This article will deeply explore the characteristics, applications and profound impact on the polyurethane industry of LE-15. At the same time, combining relevant domestic and foreign literature, it will reveal the scientific mysteries behind it in easy-to-understand language.

The wide application of polyurethane and the limitations of traditional catalysts

The Charm of Polyurethane

Polyurethane is a polymer compound produced by the reaction of isocyanate and polyol, and is known for its excellent mechanical properties, chemical resistance and thermal stability. Depending on different formulations and processes, polyurethane can be made into soft foams, rigid foams, elastomers, coatings, adhesives and other products. The widespread use of these products makes them an integral part of modern industry.

However, the production of polyurethane cannot be separated from the help of catalysts. Catalysts can accelerate the chemical reaction between isocyanate and polyol, thereby improving production efficiency and product quality. Traditional polyurethane catalysts mainly include amines and tin compounds. Although these catalysts perform well in promoting reactions, they also have some problems that cannot be ignored.

The disadvantages of traditional catalysts

Odor Problems: Traditional amine catalysts are prone to release strong irritating odors during use, which not only affects the working environment of workers, but may also lead to consumers’ dissatisfaction with the product.
Environmental Problems: Certain metal-based catalysts (such as tin) may cause environmental pollution and are difficult to deal with after being discarded.
Health Risks: Long-term exposure to certain traditional catalysts may have adverse effects on human health, such as causing respiratory irritation or skin allergies.

These issues prompt researchers to constantly look for more environmentally friendly and healthy alternatives. Against this background, LE-15 stands out as a new low-odor catalyst.

Basic Features and Advantages of LE-15

What is LE-15?

LE-15 is a low-odor catalyst specially designed for polyurethane production. Its main ingredients are specially modified organicAmines can significantly reduce odor emissions while maintaining efficient catalytic performance. In addition, LE-15 also has good stability and compatibility, and can adapt to a variety of different production processes and formulation systems.

Key parameters of LE-15

The following are some important technical parameters of LE-15:

parameter name	parameter value	Unit
Appearance	Light yellow transparent liquid	–
Density	0.98	g/cm³
Viscosity (25°C)	20	mPa·s
Odor intensity	?2	Level
Flashpoint	>60	°C

Advantages of LE-15

Low Odor: LE-15 effectively reduces the release of volatile organic matter (VOC) through its special molecular structure design, thereby greatly reducing the odor intensity.
High-efficiency Catalysis: Even at low additions, LE-15 provides excellent catalytic effects, ensuring that the performance of polyurethane products is not affected.
Environmentally friendly: LE-15 does not contain heavy metals and other harmful substances, and complies with the current strict environmental protection regulations.
Wide applicability: Whether it is soft foam or rigid foam, LE-15 can show good adaptability and meet the needs of different application scenarios.

Application scenarios of LE-15

Application in soft foam

Soft foam is one of the common applications of polyurethane and is widely used in furniture, mattresses and automotive interiors. LE-15 is particularly outstanding in soft foam production. It can accurately control the formation and stability of bubbles during foaming, thereby obtaining a uniform and delicate foam structure. In addition, due to the low odor characteristics of LE-15, the final product will not emit a pungent odor during use, which enhances the consumer’s experience.

in hardApplication in bubbles

Rough foam is mainly used in building insulation and packaging materials. The LE-15 is also excellent in its application in rigid foams. It can accelerate the cross-linking reaction of isocyanate with polyols, thereby increasing the density and strength of the foam. At the same time, LE-15 can also reduce the occurrence of side reactions and ensure the dimensional stability of the foam.

Application in coatings and adhesives

In addition to foam products, LE-15 can also be used in the production of polyurethane coatings and adhesives. In these applications, LE-15 can facilitate the progress of the curing reaction while avoiding product quality degradation due to odor problems. This is especially important for coatings and adhesives that require prolonged exposure to air.

Domestic and foreign research progress and market prospects

Domestic research status

In recent years, domestic research on low-odor catalysts has gradually increased. For example, a research team from a certain university further improved its catalytic efficiency and odor control ability by optimizing the molecular structure of LE-15. Their research shows that LE-15 can completely replace traditional amine catalysts under specific conditions without any negative impact on product performance.

International Research Trends

In foreign countries, the research and development of low-odor catalysts is also highly valued. Some well-known European and American companies have successfully applied LE-15 to large-scale industrial production and have achieved significant economic and social benefits. For example, a multinational company not only reduced production costs by introducing LE-15, but also greatly improved its brand image.

Market prospect analysis

As global concerns about environmental protection and sustainable development grow, the demand for low-odor catalysts will continue to grow. It is expected that the penetration rate of LE-15 in the global polyurethane market will reach more than 30% in the next five years. Especially in developed regions such as Europe and North America, LE-15 will become the preferred catalyst for many companies due to strict environmental regulations.

Conclusion

LE-15, as a revolutionary low-odor catalyst, is leading the polyurethane industry to a greener and more sustainable future. By solving the odor and environmental protection problems of traditional catalysts, LE-15 not only improves the quality of the product, but also brings tangible benefits to enterprises and consumers. I believe that in the near future, LE-15 will play its unique role in more areas and bring more surprises to our lives.

As a scientist said, “The advancement of science and technology is not only for the pursuit of higher efficiency, but also for the creation of a better world.” LE-15 is one of the best practices of this concept. Let us look forward to this magical catalyst that will continue to write its glorious chapter!