PU Foam Additives for Flexible Slabstock

Standard polyether slabstock foam is found in a wide range of everyday products, from quilts and mattresses to upholstery and shoe insoles. Our polyether additives help you achieve consistent cell structure, stable foam rise, and low VOC emissions across both continuous and discontinuous manufacturing.

Whether foam is produced on a high‑speed line or in large block molds, our technologies enable smooth, high-quality foams. In an evolving market, we remain committed to developing innovative solutions that boost performance, improve production efficiency, and support more sustainable foam solutions. 

Polyester-based foams are widely used in automotive interiors, textile laminates, filters and packaging. Compared to polyether foams, they offer better solvent resistance but are more sensitive to moisture, requiring a dedicated additive package to ensure smooth processing and reliable performance.

Our polyester foam additives enhance mixing behavior, support controlled cell opening, and deliver stable foam performance even under solvent-rich conditions. Our additive portfolio includes silicone and organic surfactants, emulsifiers, amine catalysts, and antioxidants, each avoiding NPEs (Nonylphenol ethoxylates) and designed to meet key industry emission standards, such as VOC and FOG.  

High‑resilience (HR) foams are known for their extra bounce, comfort and support, making them a popular choice for bedding, furniture, and seating. Their characteristic springiness comes from specialized HR polyols with higher reactivity and molecular weight, used in both TDI and MDI-based formulations.

Producing HR foam requires precise control of the foam’s intentionally irregular cell structure to achieve the desired elasticity.

Evonik's HR foam additives help to optimize cell opening, stabilize the unique structure of HR foams and extend the processing window for both TDI- and MDI systems. Our solutions improve foam stability, cell size, and overall processing consistency, while also supporting low‑emission formulations. 

ORTEGOL® performance additives address common production issues such as cold-flow, helping manufacturers achieve durable, high‑quality HR foam.

Viscoelastic or memory foams used in mattresses, topper pads, and pillows are known for their slow recovery after being compressed. These properties come from specialized polyol systems or tightly packed cell structures, both of which require precise control during production. Processing windows are typically narrow, making choosing the right foam stabilizers especially critical.

Evonik's viscoelastic foam additives help manage viscosity, enable controlled cell opening, and ensure stable foam processing even in narrow formulation ranges. Our flame‑retardant solutions improve char formation, enhance foam integrity in flame-testing and support consistent performance.

With our DABCO® NE and TEGOSTAB® lines, we help manufacturers meet low-emission requirements while maintaining processing flexibility. Our SiOC-based TEGOSTAB® silicones offer wide processing ranges and broad compatibility across many TDI systems, and ORTEGOL® performance additives further enhance cell opening. We also provide specialized solutions designed for MDI-based viscoelastic foams. 

Automotive and furniture manufacturers often need polyurethane foams that meet strict flammability standards such as MVSS 302 or BS 5852/Crib V. Because standard PU foams are inherently flammable, achieving these requirements relies on the right combination of flame retardants, silicone surfactants, and performance additives. 

With decades of experience in flame-retardant foam technology, we support customers in developing foams that pass the relevant industry tests. Our portfolio includes tailored additives and surfactants designed for flame‑retardant systems, including ORTEGOL® products that enhance foam performance in flame lamination processes.