Why is polyurethane foam the go-to choice for automotive seat cushions?

Versatile polyurethane foam combines comfort, safety and durability for automotive seating

Polyurethane foam is the clear winner when it comes to automotive seat cushions, with an estimated market share of more than 90%, according to Euromoulders .*  At Covestro, we offer a wide range of polyurethane raw materials to meet the unique standards and requirements of car manufacturers and their tier suppliers.

When it comes to car seats, durable cushioning and support are crucial. This is where PU foam really shines – providing excellent support while ensuring that the seat maintains its shape over time. Furthermore, its firmness and density can be tailored to individual preferences, ensuring a comfortable and safe driving experience for everyone.

As safety is a top priority in the automotive industry, polyurethane foam’s exceptional shock-absorbing properties make it an ideal material for car seats. Its versatility allows for custom shaping and contouring to match the interior design vision and brand of the car, making it a perfect fit for various manufacturing techniques and allowing for seamless integration into the production process.

With all the advantages above, polyurethane foam becomes the material of choice, especially in view of its reliable and well-established supply chain. And with the ability to adapt to market demands and requirements such as sustainability, polyurethane foam is a stable and future-proof choice for the automotive industry.

Sustainability demands are driving change in the car industry. A circular approach is the answer

We all love our cars, but our billions of daily journeys plus the production of millions of new vehicles every year result in significant greenhouse gas emissions. The auto industry is under increasing pressure from consumers and governments worldwide to make mobility more sustainable.

To make a real difference, we need to take a circular approach to sustainability at every stage of car manufacturing. Although electric vehicles (EVs) can made impressive strides in reducing day-to-day operation emissions, there's much more that can be done.

This is where our polyurethane foam comes in - as a more sustainable material solution - which can contribute to a more climate friendly car manufacturing practices overall. By sourcing bio-circular feedstocks from waste and residues, we can reduce fossil fuel extraction and significantly lower the product’s CO₂ emissions.

Covestro is committed to providing innovative and more sustainable solutions for the automotive sector, and we look forward to having car manufacturers and their suppliers join with us to drive positive change in the industry.

Lower CO₂ emissions for polyurethane foam cushions at industrial scale 

As the global community seeks ways to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, the automotive sector has been exploring a variety of alternatives. At Covestro, we are already making a significant contribution towards sustainability by integrating a 50% sustainable share and a significant CO₂ reduction into some products such as Desmodur® and Hyperlite® CQ, which are ideally suited for foam seat cushion applications. With the CQ branding suffix, we highlight our commitment to products that drive greater sustainability.

We take pride in offering all major components required for PU seat cushions, which means a significantly lower CO₂ footprint and less fossil resource use for this key input into polyurethane foam. Our direct drop-in approach ensures fast implementation under the same processing conditions, without any technical risk.

Thanks to our commitment to innovation, we have made more sustainable materials for automotive seat cushions readily available at an industrial scale. Our value chain partners in the car industry can start reducing their fossil material dependence and boosting their circularity today. At Covestro, we are committed to playing our part in shaping a more sustainable future for everyone.