Technical paper describing benefits of composite flooring utilizing polyurethane wins award at Composites 2013 Award demonstrates Bayer’s innovative leadership role in the polyurethanes industry

February 20, 2013 Pittsburgh,

Utilizing composites for shipping container floors offers several advantages, including reduced energy use and a smaller carbon footprint compared to containers with conventional wood floors. These advantages are not only gaining recognition in the shipping industry but in the materials industry, as well. The technical paper "Life Cycle Assessment of Composite Shipping Container Floors Compared to Conventional Wood Flooring" won the Best in Track Award for Green Composites at the recent Composites 2013 conference, hosted annually by the American Composites Manufacturers' Association. The paper highlighted results of a recent study comparing environmental impacts of interest and relevance to the logistics community, such as: energy and greenhouse gases associated with the entire life cycles of flooring made with fiberglass/polyurethane composites, plywood and bamboo wood. The study found that although composite floors may require more energy or generate more greenhouse gases during manufacturing than wood floors, during the use phase the composite floor saves more energy and avoids greenhouse gases due to its lighter weight. The paper was authored by George Pavlovich and Shen Tian, Product Safety & Regulatory Affairs; and Harry George, manager, New Applications, Polyurethanes; all of Bayer MaterialScience LLC.