The catalyst offers environmental benefits over systems currently in use

Polyurethane catalysts from Johnson Matthey’s Polymers Business Unit took second place in the Innovation in Applied Catalysis category of the IChemE awards this week.

The application of its products in PU elastomers offers environmental advantages over the mercury systems currently in wide use, Johnson Matthey said. Polyurethane is one of the target markets for the speciality organic titanates catalyst business, which was acquired by Johnson Matthey from ICI. The portfolio carries the Vertec name to highlight its versatile technology and has just been given a new logo to strengthen its market presence.

The catalyst portfolio has a broad range of applications in the polymer sector including inks – where it can supply improved adhesion to substrates such as OPP film – and the manufacture of polyester fibres and polymers – where it offers productivity improvements of at least 10%, according to business manager Kevin Fothergill.

Another outlet for the Vertec family, manufactured at Billingham in north-east England, is in the esterification of plasticisers.