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Passionate about polyurethanes
Herbert Radunz is in his element when it comes to polyurethanes. His body language says it all; being involved with this polymer is not so much a job, it is more of a love affair. “What raw material can be used to manufacture lightweight flexible foams for mattresses as well as robust wheels for roller coasters?” asks the 47-year old, and immediately answers his own question: “Polyurethanes. Their potential is almost unlimited.”
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| Insulating boards made of BaySystems rigid polyurethane foams are widely used in the construction industry for thermal insulation of roofs, among other things. |
Since April 2007, Radunz has been able to devote more time to his favorite material than ever before. At BaySystems, the global skills network for the sale, development and production of polyurethane systems, this qualified mechanical engineer is responsible for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The umbrella brand BaySystems now encompasses over 30 Bayer MaterialScience systems houses throughout the world.
Herbert Radunz is based in Fribourg, a small town in Switzerland situated between Berne and Geneva. All the individual solutions that Bayer MaterialScience develops for its customers in Europe, the Middle East and Africa come together here. “Responsiveness, flexibility and skill – those are probably the main advantages of BaySystems for polyurethane users,” explains Radunz. At BaySystems there are only two alternatives for our customers: “Either we find a solution immediately or we immediately locate someone who can find a solution.”
In addition to running BaySystems in Fribourg, Herbert Radunz is also Head of BaySystems Insulation, which supplies polyurethane systems for high-tech insulating materials to customers in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. In this role, he is responsible for Technology and Marketing. And when he says, “rigid foam is the best insulating material in the world,” he is not just speaking as a marketing expert. Having studied the theoretical and practical aspects of the material for over 20 years, he is also an experienced engineer.
BaySystems rigid polyurethane foams are widely used for insulating boards in the construction industry. With their low thermal conductivity, they can reduce heating energy consumption by more than half, especially in older, poorly insulated buildings.
On the other hand, polyurethane insulating panels can act as a barrier against high temperatures. This is a major consideration for clients in hot countries. Herbert Radunz is pleased to report growing demand for BaySystems as a result of the building boom in the United Emirates.
The latest decision by clients in the Gulf is also welcome. A new suburb is to be created on the coast of Dubai in front of the artificial Palm Island complex. Nearly twice the size of Hong Kong, it will be inhabited by almost 1.5 million people. For this huge venture, the remaining 15 kilometers of the natural coast will be developed, and in addition 55 kilometers of new coast will be built into the sea, increasing Dubai’s shoreline by 70 kilometers.
On completion of the construction work, pre-insulated pipes will supply chilled water for cooling the buildings. “And what is the best insulator for these pipes?” asks Radunz, immediately responding with, “a specially formulated high-tech polyurethane foam.”
However, manufacturers of metal sandwich panels are by far the greatest users of polyurethane rigid foams. These prefabricated panels consist of aluminum or steel facings that are firmly bonded together by a polyurethane core. They are used to construct walls for large industrial buildings, cold stores, warehouses and sports halls. Their particular advantage is that they are light and easy to erect, and offer optimum thermal insulation, explains Radunz.
Herbert Radunz is also impressed by spray-on polyurethane foam, a lighter form of rigid foam for which there is a growing demand. “It is easy to apply internally and externally, even to roofing,” he explains.
And which application of polyurethane is the head of BaySystems most enthusiastic about? For once he takes his time replying, reflecting on everything he has seen during his many years at Bayer. Finally, the mechanical engineer in him comes to the fore again. “I was most impressed by a one-piece eight-tonne molding for a fishing cutter. That was a real challenge that could only be met with polyurethane.”
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