Dow estimates annual growth rates of around 10%

Production of moulded low-resilience PU foam for pillows and furniture is expected to grow at 10% annually over the next 10 years, according to Dr Alexander Strietholt of Dow Systems House, Ahlen.

Speaking at a Cannon technology day in Hanau, Germany last week, Dr Strietholt estimated that global production of moulded foam parts would reach almost 60 million cu metres by 2013, compared with the current annual production of under 20 million cu metres.

Low resilience or visco-elastic foams are characterised by having a low rate of recovery from an applied stress. Because of their absence of “fight-back” the foams are finding many applications in comfort bedding. Dr Strietholt estimated global production of viscoelastic foam mattresses would reach 250 million cu metres next year.