Lanxess sharpens flame-retardant portfolio for rigid PU/PIR insulation

Cologne, Germany – Specialty chemicals company LANXESS is launching Purventis®, a new flame-retardant platform for insulation material solutions. The first commercial product under the platform is Purventis® Core, a reactive halogen-free phosphorus flame retardant for rigid polyurethane (PU) and polyisocyanurate (PIR) insulation foams. Purventis® Core addresses the growing need among polyol formulators, PU systems houses, and producers of insulation boards or spray foams, to combine fire performance, lower emissions, processing practicality and long-term regulatory resilience in PU/PIR insulation systems.

Rigid PU and PIR foams are widely used in energy-efficient building insulation, including construction panels, roof and wall insulation and closed-cell spray foam. As regulatory frameworks continue to evolve globally, insulation producers are increasingly looking for flame-retardant technologies that can support both future compliance requirements and product specifications. Against this background, solutions beyond conventional additive flame retardants such as Tris(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TCPP) and Triethyl phosphate (TEP) are an attractive alternative for the PU/PIR industry.

Reactive chemistry for changing insulation requirements
Purventis Core is based on the technology previously marketed as LANXESS’ Levagard® 2100, and designed as a low-viscosity, non-halogen, non-aromatic, TPP- and phenol-free reactive phosphorus flame retardant. Unlike other additive flame retardants, it chemically bonds into the polyurethane matrix. This approach is intended to help producers prepare for reformulation, requalification and specification changes while maintaining the performance profile required in rigid PU/PIR insulation.

“With Purventis, we are creating a clearer platform for the insulation market,” says Heiko Tebbe, Head of Application Development Polymer Additives at LANXESS. “Purventis builds on a technology our customers know and addresses the questions that are becoming more important in PU and PIR insulation: regulatory resilience, low emissions, documentation and reliable foam performance.”

Test data support lower emissions and reduced input levels
In tests, Purventis Core showed no contribution to total volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, proving that the product is incorporated into the polymer. The technology also offers high flame-retardant efficiency compared with TCPP and TEP. For producers, this is relevant because flame-retardant dosage affects formulation design, cost calculations, processing and the final foam profile. LANXESS test data also show that Purventis Core supports mechanical foam performance keeping foam stiffer than solutions with conventional flame retardants.

By building upon well-established technology for its Purventis platform, LANXESS is sharpening its offering for insulation producers preparing their PU/PIR portfolios for evolving regulatory and market requirements.