9 Urethane Resin Manufacturers in 2024
This section provides an overview for urethane resins as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 9 urethane resin manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked urethane resin companies as of April, 2024: 1.Filoform, 2.Polycast Industries, Inc., 3.Smooth-On, Inc..
Table of Contents
Okayama University Graduate School, Ph.D. (Agriculture). After working as a specially appointed Assistant Professor at Tokyo Medical and Dental University, a fluid researcher at the Okayama Prefectural Institute of Biological Sciences, and a special researcher (JSPS PD) at the Japan Society for the Promotion of Japan Science, he became independent as a freelancer.
Specializes in natural product chemistry, protein engineering, fermentation engineering, and instrumental analysis of chemicals (especially mass spectrometry chemistry).
Thesis: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=HIROKAZU+USUKI
linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%E5%8D%9A%E4%B8%80-%E8%87%BC%E6%9C%A8-b83827228/
What Is Urethane Resin?
Urethane resin is a generic term for polymers produced by the polyaddition reaction of compounds with isocyanate groups and hydroxyl groups. The bonding site is called a urethane bond (Figure 1) and is generally formed by the polyaddition of diisocyanate and polyol.
As abbreviation symbols, PU is used for plastics and U for rubber. Urethane resins have excellent tensile strength, abrasion resistance, oil resistance, and chemical resistance and are therefore also applied in paints and coatings. However, they also have the disadvantage of gradual degradation due to hydrolysis and ultraviolet rays.
Applications of Urethane Resin
Urethane resins are used in a wide range of applications, from familiar household goods to industrial products, due to their high versatility. Examples of familiar products include clothing and car bumpers, while industrial applications include soundproofing materials and adhesives.
It is also used in the soles of sports shoes due to its high flexibility and is one of the resins that are indispensable in our daily lives. This material has a history of being used as a substitute for natural rubber. Therefore, the development of applications utilizing its high elasticity and tensile strength, which are characteristics of rubber, is underway.
Environmental Residuality and Recycling of Urethane Resin
Urethane resin is widely used as a heat insulator for refrigerators, freezers, and coolers because of its excellent heat insulation properties. However, their chemical properties make them difficult to recycle and post-process, and this is an area that is the subject of ongoing research.
The decomposition and recycling technologies have already been established, including thermal decomposition, hydrolysis, glycol decomposition, ammonia decomposition, and amine decomposition, but there are still problems to be solved in terms of decomposition efficiency and cost.
Characteristics of Urethane Resins
Urethane resins have excellent flexibility, impact resistance, tensile strength, and chemical resistance, but they deteriorate after about 3 years. While it has many of these characteristics, its properties vary greatly depending on the manufacturing method.
Degradation can be caused by a wide variety of factors, including oxygen, ozone, light, and heat, hydrolysis through reaction with water, and decomposition by microorganisms. In addition, polyurethanes are characterized by the ability to change their physical properties depending on the manufacturing method. As a result, there are various types of polyurethane resins depending on their intended use. Typical examples are as follows.
1. Foam Type
Foam type is a urethane resin in which air is incorporated into the resin by adding a foaming agent and polymerizing. This material is divided into soft urethane foam and hard urethane foam. The former is used for automobile seats, etc., because of its superior cushioning and durability and lightweight. The latter has excellent heat insulation properties and is used as a heat insulator for refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners.
Among urethane foam manufacturing methods, slab molding, molding, and laminate molding require large-scale manufacturing equipment. On the other hand, the spray foaming method can be easily handled because the foam can be mixed and foamed on the spot at the point where insulation is needed.
2. Non-foam Type
A typical example of a non-foam type is an elastomer, or urethane resin with rubber elasticity, which is used in sports shoes. Because of their high elasticity, urethane resins with such properties are used for sportswear and slacks.
Differences Between Urethane, Epoxy and Acrylic Resins
Although these three terms are often used interchangeably, perhaps because they all contain the word "resin," they refer to completely different materials.
Urethane resin is a generic term for a polymeric material with urethane bonds, as explained at the beginning of this article. On the other hand, epoxy resins refer to thermosetting resins with reactive epoxy rings at the ends of their molecules.
Acrylic resin is also a polymer or copolymer of acrylic acid and its derivatives. In other words, their meanings are strictly defined by their different structures and chemical properties, so care must be taken in their usage.
Adhesives
There are two types of adhesives: solid adhesives, such as double-sided tape and seaming tape, and liquid adhesives, in which the applied adhesive is pressed and cured to produce an adhesive effect.
Liquid adhesives can be classified into two major types based on the adhesion method: dry-setting type and reaction-curing type. In the dry-setting type, adhesion occurs when the water or solvent contained in the adhesive volatilizes. On the other hand, the reaction curing type is an adhesive that uses curing caused by a chemical reaction between the components contained in the adhesive.
Reaction curing type can be further classified into two types. One is epoxy resin-based adhesives, in which the main agent and hardener cause curing, and the other is urethane resin-based adhesives, in which curing is caused by moisture in the air. Among these, urethane resin-based adhesives are used in a wide range of general applications because of their high adhesion and quick bonding, making them versatile.
Floor Coating Agents Using Urethane Resins
Floor coating agents can be classified into two types: water-based and oil-based. Originally, coating agents using urethane resins were also divided into water-based and oil-based systems. However, since there were questions about the safety of oil-based systems, water-based systems are generally used today.
Water-based urethane coating agents are characterized by lower durability than oil-based floor coating agents such as glass and silicone coatings. However, they also have the feature that they can be finished at a lower cost. Therefore, compared to other floor coating agents, water-based urethane coating agents are often chosen.
The advantages of choosing water-based urethane coatings are that they are quick-drying due to their fast curing speed and that they are virtually odorless, without the volatile odor of thinner. In addition, it is compatible with most flooring materials, so it can be used for any type of flooring.
On the other hand, one demerit is deterioration over time, which can be considered a weakness of urethane resins. Most water-based urethane coatings have a durability of 10 years or less. However, in addition to the aforementioned merits, water-based urethane coating agents are still chosen as popular coating agents because of their superior safety and ease of use.
List of 9 Urethane Resin Manufacturers
*Including some distributors, etc.
Sort by Features
- Default
- Company Size: largest first
- Year Founded: oldest first
- Year Founded: earliest first
Sort by Area
- United States of America
- Japan
- Netherlands
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Smooth-On, Inc.
Urethane Resins
Manufacturer Overview
Smooth-On, Inc. is a manufacturer of materials for various applications including molds and industrial parts. The company was established in 1895 and is now located in Macungie, Pennsylvania, United States. Smooth-On manufactures materials including rigid and flexible urethane foams, silicone rubbers, and coating and release agents. The company's products are used in various applications including sculpture and art casting, candle making, and architectural restoration. The company also offers training on basic and advanced molding and casting techniques at their facility.
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Polycast Industries, Inc.
Urethane Resins
Manufacturer Overview
Polycast Industries, Inc. (PI) is an American manufacturer of general-purpose as well as specialty epoxies established in 1990 and based in Bay Shore, New York. The company produces various epoxies, urethanes, and silicones for use in bonding, casting, encapsulating, and mold making. They also offer contract and private label manufacturing to customers with unique product specifications. PI products are primarily used by client manufacturers and OEMs in the electronics, telecommunications, automotives, and medical device markets.
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Dow Corporate
VITHANE™ 203 Polyurethane Resin
Company Overview
Dow Inc. was originally incorporated in 1897 and is headquartered in Midland, Michigan. The company is a manufacturer and distributor of numerous advanced materials and chemicals used in packaging, infrastructure, and consumer industries by other companies around the world. The company’s product divisions include Packaging & Specialty Plastics, Industrial Intermediates & Infrastructure, and Performance Materials & Coatings. Packaging & Specialty Plastics include ethylene, rubbers, and wire and cable products. Industrial Intermediates & Infrastructure include ethanol amines, adhesives, sealants, and other composites. Performance Materials and Coatings provides paints and industrial coatings for metal packing.
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AGC Inc.
Polyurethanes Business
Manufacturer Overview
AGC Inc., founded in Amagasaki, Japan, in 1907 is a supplier of flat, automotive, display glass, chemicals, ceramics and other high-tech materials and components. The company's product portfolio includes Architectural glasses, Automotive glasses, Architectural Materials, performance chemicals and Biopharmaceuticals. Their products are used in markets such as Automotive and Transportation, Telecommunications, Industrial Automation, Healthcare and Medical Devices and Aerospace and Defense. They also offer custom packaging, warehousing, customer service and distribution services.
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Asia Industry Co.,Ltd.
Urethane resins
Manufacturer Overview
Asia Industry Co., Ltd., established in 1933 with headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, is a manufacturer of architectural coatings, synthetic resins, and other special resins. The company's product line includes acrylic resin, urethane resin, urethane acrylate resin, acrylic-urethane copolymer resin, and acrylic polymer acrylate. These products are used for the manufacture of paints, inks, adhesive products, plastic coatings, and films. The company serves markets that include architectural, consumer product manufacture, construction, packaging, and medical equipment manufacture.
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Pelnox
Pel-Urethane
Manufacturer Overview
Pelnox, Ltd., established in 1970 and located in Hadano, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, is a manufacturer and supplier of resin compounds. The company's product range includes Pelnox Epoxy Resin for Electronics, Pel-Urethane Polyurethane Resin, Pel-Powder Epoxy Powder Coating, Epotack Epoxy Adhesive, and Pelcoat Epoxy Coating for Electronics. These products are designed for insulating electronic components, protecting electronic circuits, adhesive bonding, and providing specialized coatings for electronic components. They serve sectors such as electronics, automotive, industrial machinery, and sporting goods. Beyond manufacturing, the company offers services like research and development, global market expansion, environmental solutions, and technological advancements.
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DIC CORPORATION
Polyurethane Resins
Manufacturer Overview
DIC, established in 1908 in Japan, is a manufacturer and supplier of printing inks, organic pigments, and PPS compounds. The company's product portfolio includes different printing inks, such as offset inks used for quality printing, gravure inks for packaging materials, and UV-curable inks for various applications. They also offer organic pigments used in automotive coatings, and PPS compounds, used in electronic and automotive components. DIC's products are used in industries like automotive, electronics, food, and housing. They provide quality products and services that meet societal needs while addressing local and global challenges.
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Filoform
Polyurethane resin
Manufacturer Overview
Filoform, a manufacturer, aims to create solutions that enhance safety, efficiency, and sustainability in the energy and telecommunications industry. The company produces sealing and protection products known for quality and reliability, with a history spanning decades. The company's team of professionals passionately pursues excellence, continually seeking ways to enhance products and processes. With a deep understanding of industry challenges, the team develops products to address these issues, offering a customer-centric approach to meet unique requirements.
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Arakawa Chemical Industries,Ltd.
Polyurethane resins
Company Overview
Arakawa Chemical Industries, Ltd. established in 1876 and based in Osaka, Japan, is a manufacturer and distributor of specialized chemicals. The company's product range includes Photo-curable resin [BEAMSET], Internal paper strengthening agent [Polystron], Hydrogenated Hydrocarbon Resin [ARKON], Precise parts cleaning agent [PINE ALPHA], and Functional coating agent [ARACOAT]. These products find applications in functional coatings, pressure-sensitive adhesives, tackifying, and cleaning precise parts. Primarily, it serves the paper manufacturing, electronics, printing inks, and adhesive industries. The company offers services across domains like functional coating chemicals, adhesive and biomass materials, paper chemicals, and the electronics business.
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Urethane Resin Manufacturer Ranking
*Including some distributors, etc.Ranking as of April 2024
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Filoform |
19.4%
|
| 2 | Polycast Industries, Inc. |
13.3%
|
| 3 | Dow Corporate |
13.3%
|
| 4 | Smooth-On, Inc. |
11.2%
|
| 5 | Asia Industry Co.,Ltd. |
11.2%
|
| 6 | AGC Inc. |
10.2%
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| 7 | DIC CORPORATION |
8.2%
|
| 8 | Pelnox |
8.2%
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| 9 | Arakawa Chemical Industries,Ltd. |
5.1%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the urethane resin page as of April 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
- DIC CORPORATION: 22,743
- AGC Inc.: 7,412
- Arakawa Chemical Industries,Ltd.: 1,677
Newly Established Company
- Pelnox: 1970 (54 years ago)
- Asia Industry Co.,Ltd.: 1933 (91 years ago)
- Smooth-On, Inc.: 1895 (129 years ago)
Company with a History
- Arakawa Chemical Industries,Ltd.: 1876 (148 years ago)
- Smooth-On, Inc.: 1895 (129 years ago)
- Asia Industry Co.,Ltd.: 1933 (91 years ago)
Urethane Resin Manufacturers in United States
*Including some distributors, etc.
Global Distribution of Urethane Resin Manufacturers by Country
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
Japan
|
5 | 55.6% |
United States of America
|
3 | 33.3% |
Netherlands
|
1 | 11.1% |
