Commodity
Index-linkedBulk Polyurethane foam follows a global index more than a boutique mill.
Darker cells mean a higher score for this topic on that metric.
Strength20
Heat resistance36
Fire performance28
Insulation88
Workability74
Circularity32
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Quick answers
Is Polyurethane foam non-combustible?
Declared reaction class in this atlas: typically E–B with facers; not A1. Assemblies still need resistance tests.
Does Polyurethane foam insulate?
Thermal mark 88/100 versus the atlas. Conductivity note: λ ~0.022–0.028 W/m·K (aged PIR boards, bands).
What is the density band?
30–60 kg/m³ rigid boards
How is it made?
Origin story: Otto Bayer 1937; fridge foam 1950s (Germany).
Can it be recycled?
Circularity mark 32/100 — editorial, route-specific.
Typical melting or failure heat?
pyrolyses; does not melt cleanly
heat 36 · fire 28
Prices are bands. A 2024 coil is not a 2026 contract. Labour and certification often dwarf the commodity.
Producers listed are landmarks for orientation, not a ranking or a procurement list.
Cost bands
Specified grade
PremiumTight chemistry, cleanliness or certification multiplies the unit price.
System
InstalledBoards, coats and labour dwarf kilogram prices.
Certified / medical / aero
HighestPaperwork is the product.
Trial / green route
PolicyLow-carbon or bio routes still trade on certificates.
Regions
East Asia
Volume production and finishing.
Europe
Standards (EN, Euroclass) and specialty.
North America
ASTM / NFPA language and large domestic mills.
Korea / Japan
High-spec sheet, fibres, electronics-adjacent ceramics.
Resource belts
Ore, plantations or energy that feed primary routes.
Global trade
Polyurethane foam moves as coils, bales, boards or chemicals — check HS codes, not vibes.
Key numbers
30–60 kg/m³ rigid boardsDensity
λ ~0.022–0.028 W/m·K (aged PIR boards, bands)Thermal
typically E–B with facers; not A1Fire letter
88Atlas insulation
Producers
BASF
MDI/TDI and systems.
Covestro
Bayer materials spin.
Dow
Polyols and systems.
Huntsman
MDI.
Kingspan
PIR boards (downstream).
Armacell / others
Flexible and elastomeric cousins.
Ask for the route (primary, scrap, bio) before believing a green label.
Keep exploring
More in Thermal
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Mineral wool
Melted rock or glass spun into A1 batts — the default non-combustible insulation of codes.
Overall 69 📦Vacuum insulated panel
A sealed vacuum sandwich — λ around 0.004–0.008 W/m·K until the envelope leaks.
Overall 44 🕯️Phase-change material
Latent-heat packets that flatten temperature swings — not a substitute for λ insulation, a complement.
Overall 36