The Beginning of Polyurethanes and Recent Economic Trend in Japan

Abstract

Synopsis

Polyurethanes are polymers containing urethane groups in a narrow sense, and are a polymer produced from isocyanate in the broad senses. 80 years have passed since this polyurethane was invented by the group of Otto Bayer et al. of I.G.Farben (later Bayer). Polyester-based foam production technology was introduced in Japan and it was put on the market and passed the 60th calendar. In this paper, we look at the history of polyurethane development and its introduction to Japan and overview the flow of development of polyurethane in Japan from 1970.