Abstract: A method for supply chain design may include identifying nodes, links connecting the nodes, and replenishment strategies for moving materials along the links, in a supply chain. The method may also include determining a value indicative of the complexity of the supply chain based on a characteristic of the nodes, links, and replenishment strategies. The method may also include identifying whether core competencies of the nodes are underutilized. The method may also include reducing the complexity of the supply chain to increase utilization of the core competencies of the nodes.

Abstract: A method for supply chain design may include identifying nodes, links connecting the nodes, and replenishment strategies for moving materials along the links, in a supply chain. The method may also include determining a value indicative of the complexity of the supply chain based on a characteristic of the nodes, links, and replenishment strategies. The method may also include identifying whether core competencies of the nodes are underutilized. The method may also include reducing the complexity of the supply chain to increase utilization of the core competencies of the nodes.

Abstract: This invention relates to fertilizer encapsulation with polyurethanes wherein the isocyanate-reactive composition contains sulfur. The process of the present invention comprises applying a polyisocyanate composition to fertilizer particles, applying an isocyanate-reactive composition which contains sulfur to the polyisocyanate coated fertilizer particles, or applying an isocyanate-reactive composition which contains sulfur to fertilizer particles and then applying a polyisocyanate composition to the isocyanate-reactive coated fertilizer particles, and repeating these steps as necessary to form sulfur containing polyurethane encapsulated fertilizer particles.

Abstract: This invention relates to fertilizer encapsulation with polyurethanes wherein the isocyanate-reactive composition contains sulfur. The process of the present invention comprises applying a polyisocyanate composition to fertilizer particles, applying an isocyanate-reactive composition which contains sulfur to the polyisocyanate coated fertilizer particles, or applying an isocyanate-reactive composition which contains sulfur to fertilizer particles and then applying a polyisocyanate composition to the isocyanate-reactive coated fertilizer particles, and repeating these steps as necessary to form sulfur containing polyurethane encapsulated fertilizer particles.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the production of an optically clear, light-stable polyurethane-urea elastomer having an onset softening point of at least 130° C., processed at ambient temperature and casted in a mold at an isocyanate index of 95 to 120. This process comprises reacting: A) a liquid polyisocyanate or polyisocyanate prepolymer having an NCO group content of about 5 to about 50%, an average functionality of 2 to 3, a viscosity of less than 5,000 mPa.s at 25° C.; and B) an isocyanate-reactive component; in the presence of C) at least one organometallic catalyst. The present invention also relates to the optically clear, light-stable polyurethane-urea elastomers produced by this process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polyurethane encapsulated fertilizer particles which exhibit slow-release properties and to a process for their production. The process comprises applying an isocyanate-reactive component to fertilizer particles, to form fertilizer particles coated with an isocyanate-reactive component, applying a polyisocyanate component onto the coated fertilizer particles to form polyurethane encapsulated fertilizer particles, and, optionally, repeating these steps as many times as necessary to form the polyurethane encapsulated fertilizer particles that contain about 2 to 20% by weight of polyurethane, based on the total weight of the encapsulated fertilizer particles. Suitable isocyanate-reactive components include polyesterether polyols that comprise either a blend of or the reaction product of (i) castor oil having an OH number of about 160 to about 170, a viscosity of about 500 to about 900 mPa.s at 25° C., and a water content of less than 0.

Abstract: This invention relates to polyurethane encapsulated fertilizer particles which exhibit slow-release properties and to a process for their production. The process comprises (1) applying an isocyanate-reactive component or a polyisocyanate component to fertilizer particles, to form coated fertilizer particles, followed by (2) applying a polyisocyanate component or an isocyanate-reactive component onto the coated fertilizer particles to form polyurethane encapsulated fertilizer particles, and, optionally, repeating these steps as many times as necessary to form the polyurethane encapsulated fertilizer particles that contain about 2 to 20% by weight of polyurethane, based on the total weight of the encapsulated fertilizer particles. Alternatively, the isocyanate-reactive component and the polyisocyanate component can be premixed prior to being applied to the fertilizer particles to form polyurethane encapsulated fertilizer particles. Suitable isocyanate-reactive components comprise oleo polyols.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of one-shot polyurethane elastomers having low compression sets. This process comprises reacting a polymethylene poly(phenylisocyanate) having an average functionality of 2.2 to 2.8, and a polyol component that has an average functionality of 2.0 or less. The polyol component comprises at least one relatively high molecular weight isocyanate-reactive component, and at least one relatively low molecular weight isocyanate-reactive component, with the functionalities and quantities of each component being such that the above average functionality of 2.0 or less for the polyol component is satisfied. Polyurethane elastomers produced by the process of this invention are characterized by compression sets of less than 10%.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the production of polyurethane elastomers having low compression sets. The process comprises reacting A) an isocyanate component comprising methylene bis(phenyl isocyanate) containing the 2,4′-isomer of methylene bis(phenyl isocyanate), with B) an isocyanate-reactive component, optionally, in the presence of C) one or more additives. The reaction components are processed via the one-shot process at an isocyanate index of 90 to 130.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making a coated substrate that requires a polyurethane/urea contact adhesive, and the coated substrates produced by this method. This invention requires a) a polyisocyanate with a functionality of less than about 4, b) optionally, a polyol blend consisting of about 95 to 100% polyether polyols with molecular weights from about 1800 to 12000 and average functionality from about 1.5 to about 4 and up to about 5% of chain extenders with molecular weights from about 60 to 400 and average functionality from about 1.5 to about 3, and c) polyethers having at least two isocyanate reactive groups and a molecular weight of from about 1800 to about 12000 and average functionality from about 1.5 to about 4 in which at least 50% of the isocyanate reactive groups are primary and/or secondary amino groups.

Abstract: This invention relates to an isocyanate composition comprising a) at least one isocyanate and b) from 1 to 50% by weight, based on the total weight of component a), of sulfur. These isocyanate compositions are suitable for the preparation of polyurethane/polyurea encapsulated fertilizers. Accordingly, the present invention also relates to an improved process for the production of a polyurea/polyurethane encapsulated fertilizer comprising applying at least one isocyanate-reactive component to the fertilizer particles and applying the isocyanate compositions of the present invention to the fertilizer particles, to form these polyurea/polyurethane encapsulated fertilizers.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the production of a polyurethane backing and air frothed foam on a substrate comprising the steps of a) mixing a polyisocyanate and a polyol blend in the presence of a catalyst to form a reaction mixture, b) applying the reaction mixture to a substrate, and c) curing the reaction mixture to form a polyurethane backing an/or an air frothed foam on the substrate. Suitable catalyst compositions for the present invention include those corresponding to the formula: ##STR1## wherein: each R: independently represents a linear or branched C.sub.1 to C.sub.24 (preferably from 5 to 16 carbon atoms and most preferably from 8 to 12 carbon atoms) alkyl group, or a cyclic group containing from 4 to 24 carbon atoms (preferably from 5 to 16 carbon atoms and most preferably from 8 to 12 carbon atoms).

Abstract: The present invention relates to highly elastic polyurethane contact adhesives, a process to coat substrates with these contact adhesives, and the coated substrates produced by this process. This invention requires a) a polyisocyanate with a functionality of less than about 4 and b) a polyol blend comprising 1) about 90 to 100% polyethers with molecular weights from about 1,800 to 12,000 and average functionality from about 1.5 to about 4, and 2) up to about 10% of chain extenders with molecular weights from about 60 to 400 and average functionality from about 1.5 to about 3. The functionalities and amounts of components a) and b) are such that the molecular weight between crosslinks is from about 7,000 to about 16,000 and the equivalent ratio of isocyanate groups to isocyanate-reactive groups is from about 80:100 to about 120:100 and the urethane group content is from about 1 to about 8%. It is preferred that at least one of components a) and b) have a functionality of greater than about 2.2.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the production of polyurea encapsulated fertilizer particles. These are produced by applying an isocyanate-reactive component which contains at least two amine groups to fertilizer particles to form amine coated particles, and applying a polyisocyanate component to the amine coated particles to form polyurea coated particles. These steps may optionally be repeated in successive order. The resultant polyurea encapsulated fertilizer particles contain from about 0.5 to 15% by weight of polyurea, based on the total weight of the encapsulated fertilizer particles. Instead of using an amine group containing isocyanate-reactive component, water can be applied first.

Abstract: The present invention relates to non-sagging, light stable polyurethane compositions. These non-sagging, light stable polyurethane compositions are the reaction product of a liquid hexamethylene diisocyanate adduct with a mixture of an organic compound containing hydroxyl groups, an aliphatic and/or alicyclic diamine, and an alkanolamine. It also relates to a process for producing these non-sagging, light stable compositions, and their use as seam sealants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to highly elastic polyurethane contact adhesives, a process to coat substrates with these contact adhesives, and the coated substrates produced by this process. This invention requires a) a polyisocyanate with a functionality of less than about 4 and b) a polyol blend comprising 1) about 90 to 100% polyethers with molecular weights from about 1,800 to 12,000 and average functionality from about 1.5 to about 4, and 2) up to about 10% of chain extenders with molecular weights from about 60 to 400 and average functionality from about 1.5 to about 3. The functionalities and amounts of components a) and b) are such that the molecular weight between crosslinks is from about 7,000 to about 16,000 and the equivalent ratio of isocyanate groups to isocyanate-reactive groups is from about 80:100 to about 120:100 and the urethane group content is from about 1 to about 8%. It is preferred that at least one of components a) and b) have a functionality of greater than about 2.2.

Abstract: This invention relates to mixtures of polymethylene poly(phenylisocyanate) blends with epoxides. The addition of the epoxide stabilizes the reactivity of the polyisocyanate blends such that it is no longer dependent on the acidity. It is now possible to form polyurethanes from these mixtures based on polymethylene poly(phenylisocyanate) blends wherein less catalyst is necessary.

Abstract: The invention is related to an adhesive comprising a stable, fine particle size aqueous dispersion of polyurethane-urea which is the reaction product of an isocyanate-terminated prepolymer with an amine-containing chain extending agent which is characterized in that the functionality of said agent is about 2.05 to about 2.50. The adhesive was surprisingly and unexpectedly found to exhibit an increased softening point temperature as compared to the corresponding temperature of related adhesives which contains no such chain extending agent.