Lanxess targets PU insulation market despite urethane systems exit

The first product under the new Purventis platform is Purventis Core, a reactive, halogen-free phosphorus flame retardant for rigid PU and PIR insulation foams.

The launch highlights the distinction between Lanxess’s withdrawal from polymer and urethane systems manufacturing and its continuing role as a supplier of specialty additives to polyurethane formulators and processors.

Lanxess completed the sale of its Urethane Systems business to Japan’s UBE Corporation in April 2025. The transaction, valued at €460 million, transferred five production sites and around 400 employees to UBE and marked Lanxess’s exit from its last remaining polymer business.

Purventis Core is based on technology previously marketed as Levagard 2100. Lanxess describes the product as a low-viscosity, non-halogenated and non-aromatic reactive flame retardant that is free from triphenyl phosphate and phenol.

Unlike conventional additive flame retardants, Purventis Core chemically bonds into the polyurethane matrix. Lanxess said this reduces the potential for migration while helping insulation producers address changing emissions, documentation and regulatory requirements.

The company is positioning the technology as an alternative to established additive flame retardants including tris(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate, or TCPP, and triethyl phosphate.

In Lanxess testing, Purventis Core made no contribution to measured total volatile organic compound emissions. The company also reported higher flame-retardant efficiency than TCPP and TEP, potentially allowing formulators to use lower input levels.

Lanxess said foams containing Purventis Core remained stiffer than comparable formulations using conventional flame retardants. Flame-retardant dosage can affect foam mechanics as well as processing, formulation costs and fire performance.

“With Purventis, we are creating a clearer platform for the insulation market,” said Heiko Tebbe, head of application development for polymer additives at Lanxess.

“Purventis builds on a technology our customers know and addresses the questions that are becoming more important in PU and PIR insulation: regulatory resilience, low emissions, documentation and reliable foam performance.”

Rigid PU and PIR foams are widely used in insulation panels, roofs, walls and closed-cell spray-foam systems.

Lanxess