Lubrizol Offers Soft Plasticizer-Free Product Line for Footwear Applications

CLEVELAND, - The Lubrizol Corporation offers Estane® soft plasticizer-free thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs) for athletic footwear applications. An alternative to conventional plasticized TPUs, Lubrizol’s plasticizer-free TPUs provide an option for manufacturers sensitive to today’s more stringent environmental requirements.

Conventional soft TPUs contain a phthalate-type plasticizer that may be subject to regulation by environmental agencies. In addition, such plasticizers can gradually migrate to the surface of the molded product, creating poor aesthetics and altering the bonding strength.

Lubrizol’s line of plasticizer-free TPUs exhibit the performance attributes for which the company’s engineered polymers are well known, including excellent flexibility, softness, abrasion resistance and moldability. Lubrizol’s soft plasticizer-free Estane TPUs are available in both a polyester series (Estane T460AH, Estane T460A, Estane T465A and Estane T470A) and a polyether series (Estane T365A and Estane T370A). The Estane soft plasticizer-free TPUs range between 60A to 77A Shore hardness and offer high transparency and outstanding UV stability versus plasticizer-containing TPUs, qualities which best fit various accessory shoe components. These products are also ideal as replacements for rubber and PVC in various molding applications.

“The footwear industry is facing significant challenges in a fast-moving competitive environment,” explains Justin Park, Lubrizol’s global marketing manager for footwear. “Our soft plasticizer-free portfolio is just one of the ways Lubrizol is positioning itself as a global solutions provider for the athletic footwear industry.”

For more information or to review a complete array of Lubrizol’s innovative TPU technologies, contact us at (888) 234-2436. You can also visit us on the web at www.lubrizol.com.



About The Lubrizol Corporation
The Lubrizol Corporation, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is an innovative specialty chemical company that produces and supplies technologies to customers in the global transportation, industrial and consumer markets. These technologies include lubricant additives for engine oils, other transportation-related fluids and industrial lubricants, as well as fuel additives for gasoline and diesel fuel. In addition, Lubrizol makes ingredients and additives for personal care products and pharmaceuticals; specialty materials, including plastics technology and performance coatings in the form of specialty resins and additives. Lubrizol’s industry-leading technologies in additives, ingredients and compounds enhance the quality, performance and value of customers’ products, while reducing their environmental impact.

With headquarters in Wickliffe, Ohio, The Lubrizol Corporation owns and operates manufacturing facilities in 17 countries, as well as sales and technical offices around the world. Founded in 1928, Lubrizol has approximately 7,000 employees worldwide. Revenues for 2011 were $6.1 billion. For more information, visit www.lubrizol.com.