Corn Starch Bio-Based Polyurethane Foam

Corn starch bio-based polyurethane foam is a type of polyurethane foam material produced through chemical reactions (foaming and cross-linking) between isocyanates and other raw materials, where bio-based feedstocks extracted from corn starch (the core being polyols derived from corn starch hydrolysis, such as bio-based polyether polyols and bio-based polyester polyols) replace part or all of the traditional petroleum-based polyols.

Core Characteristics

1. Green and Eco-Friendly Nature

Since the raw materials are sourced from renewable corn (instead of non-renewable petroleum), the carbon emissions during the production process are generally lower than those of traditional petroleum-based polyurethane foam. Moreover, most types of this product can degrade naturally in the environment over time (the specific degradation effect depends on the exact formula, ambient humidity, and temperature), thereby reducing the long-term environmental pollution caused by chemical products.

2. Performance Close to Traditional Foam

Corn starch bio-based foam not only retains the core properties of polyurethane foam—such as light weight, good elasticity, excellent cushioning and shock absorption, thermal insulation, and easy processability and moldability—but also allows adjustments to its hardness and density according to specific needs to adapt to different application scenarios.

3. Safety of Raw Materials

As a raw material, corn starch bio-based feedstock is inherently derived from natural substances. Compared with some petroleum-based raw materials, it exhibits more prominent skin-friendliness and non-irritation in scenarios involving direct skin contact (e.g., daily necessities, furniture) or indirect contact (e.g., packaging).

Common Application Scenarios

• Daily Necessities Field: Insoles, soft foam fillers for sofas/mattresses, inner linings of toys, and base materials for cotton pads;
• Packaging Field: Cushioning packaging for precision instruments and electronic products (replacing part of the traditional foam);
• Home Furnishing/Building Materials Field: Thermal insulation materials (e.g., wall insulation layers, pipeline insulation layers) and sound insulation cotton for various scenarios;
• Medical Field: Can replace part of disposable medical cushion pads and protective gear liners (the specific formula must meet medical-grade hygiene standards).

In short, it is a "green alternative" to traditional petroleum-based polyurethane foam. With the increasing promotion of environmental protection needs, it has gradually become one of the important development directions in the material field.