11. Sep 2026
BASF launches low-VOC catalyst for flexible PU foam
BASF has launched Lupragen BisDMAPU, a low-volatility amine catalyst designed for flexible polyurethane foam applications.
The catalyst, chemically identified as 1,3-bis[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]urea, supports both the gelling and blowing reactions involved in PU foam production. BASF said this balanced activity helps manufacturers achieve consistent foam formation and dimensional stability.
Its low volatility and low odor are intended to reduce volatile organic compound emissions from finished products. Target applications include slabstock and molded flexible foams for furniture, mattresses and automotive interiors.
Lupragen BisDMAPU can also be used in reactive hot-melt PU adhesives, two-component epoxy systems and the production of cationic polymers. BASF will offer the catalyst worldwide.
“With its distinct reactivity profile and unique chemical properties, it is a strong complement to Lupragen N 208,” said Gereon Altenhoff, product manager for PU catalysts at BASF.
BASF introduced Lupragen N 208 in December 2025. That product is a reactive blowing catalyst which becomes incorporated into the PU polymer network, preventing it from subsequently migrating out of the foam and contributing to VOC emissions. It is suitable for flexible, semi-rigid and rigid foams.
The new BisDMAPU catalyst has a minimum stated purity of 98% and a molecular weight of 230.4 g/mol, according to BASF’s current PU catalyst portfolio literature.
Photo: an AI generated image of a hand pressing into a viscoelastic foam mattress, supplied by BASF