Frequently Asked Questions

To place orders for MDI, TDI and polyether polyols in the North American region, please contact our customer care team at 877-297-3322 or via email at  CMCustomerCare@basf.com.

Most technical data sheets (TDS) and safety data sheets (SDS) for basic polyurethane chemicals sold in North America are accessible directly on the Products page of this website. If a specific product is not listed, it may be because the product has been discontinued, is subject to confidentiality requirements or is available only in other regions. Please use our General Contact Form to inquire about isocyanates or polyols not be listed on our product page.

Please contact us with your sample request using the General Contact Form on this website.

BASF typically sells basic polyurethane chemicals in bulk quantities (railcars, tank trucks) to large volume users. For smaller volume requirements, our network of distributors offers our catalogue of MDI, TDI and polyether polyols in the quantities that fit your needs. Please visit the contact us page to learn how to speak with our distributor.

Yes. Eligible customers can place and manage orders online using our e-commerce portal WorldAccount. You can login to WorldAccount or find out how to open an account using our WorldAccount homepage.

Due to the potential hazards associated with isocyanates, MDI and TDI shall only be handled by qualified personnel trained on the risks and proper use of these products. Our MDI and TDI handbooks are available on the Health and Safety page of our website. They provide a general overview of the hazards, handling procedures, shipment, storage and disposal for both product types. Safety data sheets are also available for each individual product. Finally, more information on the safe handling of isocyanates can be found on the website of the Center for the Polyurethanes Industry. It should be noted that links to industry resources are provided for convenience only and that BASF is not responsible for the content and information provided by third-party organizations.

Yes. In addition to our product handbooks, our application development specialists, product stewards and industrial hygienists are available to help our customers with the implementation of best practices for the handling of polyurethane raw materials. Please contact your BASF representative to discuss your questions related to product training and safe handling.

Polyurethanes are polymers formed from the chemical reaction between polyisocyanates (molecules with two or more -NCO functional groups, such as MDI or TDI) and polyols (molecules of with two or more -OH functional group). Once the reaction occurs, it forms a safe, durable and versatile material with properties designed to meet the requirements of the specific end-use that the material was created for.

Because isocyanates and polyols can be produced and combined in many ways, and because of the inherent chemical properties of the urethane bond, polyurethane materials can be used to manufacture products with very different properties and attributes. Products made with polyurethanes can for example be formulated to be soft and flexible, or very hard and durable. They can also be fully dense, or microcellular (i.e. foam). In addition, they can retain their properties over a wide range of temperatures. Another valuable feature of polyurethanes if their affordability. Because of the performance they deliver, their ease of processing, and large-scale plants across the world to support the polyurethane value chain, polyurethane materials often turn out to be a very cost-effective option for many applications.

Basic polyurethane chemicals (also referred to as polyurethane raw materials) are the isocyanates and polyols used by formulators of polyurethane materials and polyurethane systems as building blocks for their products. Aromatic isocyanates (Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanate, or MDI, and Toluene Diisocyanate, or TDI) represent many isocyanates used to produce polyurethane materials, with other types of isocyanates (e.g. aliphatic isocyanates) also used for specific applications. Polyether polyols, when formulated towards specific molecular weights or functionalities, represent the most of the polyols used in polyurethane materials. Formulators of polyurethane systems typically blend several grades of polyols, with additives (e.g. catalysts, blowing agents, pigments, surfactants, etc...) and isocyanates to create unique products that meet the specific requirements of their customers.

Polyurethane systems are formulated products made of a blend of polyols, isocyanates and additives, and designed to meet the specific performance requirements of their targeted application. Polyurethane systems, either one-component (1K) or two-component (2K), are formulated for in a wide range of markets and applied with many different processes. BASF sells the building blocks of polyurethane systems (MDI, TDI, and polyols) through our Chemical Monomers division, and sells polyurethane systems through our Performance Materials division.

Polyureas are polymers formed from the chemical reaction between polyisocyanates (molecules with two or more -NCO functional groups, such as MDI or TDI) and a polyamines (molecules with two or more -NH2 functional groups). The polyamines involved in the reaction can be amine-terminated polymers, amine-terminated chain extenders, or can also be the result of the reaction of a polyisocyanate with water. Polyureas are also very versatile and formulated to rigid to flexible materials. Polyureas are generally known for their higher speed of reaction compared to polyurethanes.

BASF in North America primarily produces and sells polyether polyols. Selected grades of domestically-produced or imported polyester polyols can be offered for specific requirements. Please contact us for questions regarding polyester polyols.