INNOVATIVE, LASTING SOLUTIONS ENHANCING
Polyurethanes
improving reactivity, durability and performance
Our cutting-edge technologies ensure your polyurethanes achieve the highest standards
Shepherd Chemical is at the forefront of innovation in the polyurethanes industry, providing specialized metal chemistry solutions that enhance the performance and versatility of polyurethane products. Our proprietary BiCAT® polyurethane catalysts and BiCATs® curatives and cross-linkers are integral to the production of high-quality foams, coatings, adhesives, sealants, and elastomers. These products are essential in applications ranging from automotive interiors and shoe soles to adhesives and spray foam insulation. Our extensive expertise in metal chemistry ensures that we deliver solutions that improve the reactivity, durability, and overall performance of polyurethane systems.
Our commitment to innovation is exemplified by our development of the first truly stable bismuth carboxylates in water, offering safer alternatives to toxic lead and mercury compounds. Our patent-pending BiCAT® 8840 exhibits hydrolytical stability, compatibility with HFO blowing agents, fast cure rates, stable foam structures, reduced VOCs, and impressive shelf lives extending up to 15 months. These advancements earned us the 2016 CPI (The Center for the Polyurethanes Industry) Polyurethane Innovation Award. By partnering with Shepherd Chemical, you gain access to cutting-edge technologies and a wealth of knowledge in metal chemistry, ensuring that your polyurethane applications achieve the highest standards of performance and quality.
Metal Chemistries for Polyurethanes
For polyurethane formulators balancing performance with compliance, Shepherd’s metal chemistries are designed to help you tune gel and cure behavior while reducing reliance on legacy toxic systems. In water blown rigid foams, BiCAT® 8840 is built for high activity and stability, supporting control of reaction rate while staying stable in higher water-content formulations.
Across CASE applications like coatings, adhesives, sealants, and elastomers, Shepherd’s bismuth chemistries support durable end-use performance while offering a lower-toxicity pathway for selective urethane gelling. BiCAT® 8 is specifically positioned for two-component polyurethane systems where a controlled viscosity build and reliable process window matter. For additional formulation flexibility, zinc carboxylate options like BiCAT® Z can also serve as polyurethane catalysts, giving formulators another lever to dial in reactivity and final network properties.
Explore these metals used across polyurethane chemistries:
About BiCAT® 8
BiCAT ® 8 is a polymerization catalyst used in two-component polyurethane systems. Bismuth Catalysts are lower toxicity and serve as highly selective urethane gelling catalysts. They also provide better mechanical properties than other catalysts. Bismuth Catalysts produce a gradual increase in viscosity.
About BiCAT® Z
Zinc Carboxylates, including Zinc Neodecanoate (Zinc NDA) and BiCAT Z and Zinc Octoate (Zn Oct) and BiCAT 3228 are versatile materials. These water-white to yellow, viscous liquids are useful in a myriad of applications. Zinc Neodecanoate (Zinc NDA) and Zinc Octoate (Zn Oct) are used as catalysts for organic synthesis and polyurethane production.
Don’t See What You’re Looking For?
Contact us with your Custom Co-Development needs. Over 45% of our portfolio has been custom co-developed and is manufactured for proprietary applications around the globe. From discovery through commercialization, our chemists, engineers and state-of-the-art laboratories are equipped to bring a uniquely efficient and high-performing product to your application.
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