Polycarbonate Polyols

Polycarbonate polyols set a new benchmark for polyurethane elastomers, excelling in applications where durability under extreme conditions is essential.  Compared with traditional polyester and polyether polyols, polycarbonate polyols offer unparalleled performance and superior resistance to:

• High Temperatures- maintain consistent performance under intense heat.
• Hydrolysis – significantly increasing resistance to degradation in aqueous environments
• Weathering – enhanced longevity and stability in outdoor conditions.
• Solvents and Chemicals – superior resistance to solvent and chemical attack.
• Abrasion – exceptional durability against wear and tear.
• Adhesion - excellent bond strength to a wide range of substrates in harsh environments

Their robust performance profiles make polycarbonate polyols the preferred intermediates for a diverse range of polyurethane applications, including:

• Waterborne polyurethane dispersions (PUDs)
• Artificial leather coatings
• Protective films, including paint protective film 
• Oil field and mining parts
• Pipe linings
• Exterior coatings
• Adhesives
• Electrical/electronic adhesives and encapsulation
• Optical and solar panel devices
• Medical devices and tubing
• High-speed wheels and rollers
• Thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs) 

Polycarbonate diols are ideal for use in aqueous polyurethane dispersions (PUDs), providing superior properties such as hydrolytic stability and low water absorption, chemical and oil resistance, outdoor weatherability, and abrasion and thermal resistance. 

Gantrade Corporation has partnered with Cromgenia Units SA of Spain to expand the unique ROPOL Polycarbonate Polyols product line for polyurethane applications. Currently, the ROPOL polycarbonate diols include both crystalline-solid and amorphous-liquid co-polycarbonate diols. These are available in various molecular weights, with the 1000 and 2000 MW grades being the most commonly used.

Standard Products

• 1,6-Hexanediol carbonate homopolymer (crystalline polyol family)

• 1,6-Hexanediol/1,5-pentanediol carbonate copolymer (amorphous polyols family)

Next Generation Products

• 1,6-Hexanediol/1,4-butanediol carbonate copolymer (liquid)
• 2-Methyl-1,3-propanediol carbonate homopolymer (liquid)
• 2-Butyl-2-ethyl-1,3-propanediol homopolymer (viscous liquid)

The compositional architectures of the standard ROPOL polycarbonate diol grades are shown below. 

This extensive portfolio ensures the availability of the right polycarbonate polyol grade to meet the specific requirements in demanding polyurethane elastomeric applications.

While polycarbonate polyols are higher in cost than other classes of polyols, they are increasingly being used in polyurethanes based on their exceptional durability in aggressive environments.  Their CAGR is approximately 5.4%, which is above the general growth rate of the polyurethanes industry.  The global volume of polycarbonate used is estimated to be 70 MM lbs./32,000MT.

From a market perspective, polycarbonate diols can be subdivided into crystalline-solid type polyols and amorphous-liquid type co-polycarbonate diols, with crystalline-type diols holding a higher market share at about 75 percent.

Polycarbonate diol (HDO PCD)-PPDI prepolymers chain-extended with HQEE, and polycarbonate diol-TDI prepolymers cured with MCDEA, demonstrate the best retention of tensile and tear strength among polyurethanes aged at temperatures up to 150ºC. Additionally, HQEE chain-extended polycarbonate diol-MDI prepolymers show improved hard block phase separation and property retention at high temperatures.