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PolyTHF for Spandex and Elastane

As a highly elastic synthetic fiber, spandex, or elastane, is currently a very popular textile material. The advantage of spandex is its elasticity, making spandex-containing clothes very comfortable to wear. Besides clothing, spandex is being gradually applied in the medical and other industries. BASF is one of the world’s most important manufacturers of PolyTHF®, the main raw material to produce spandex.

PolyTHF is also an important intermediate in manufacturing thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers (TPU). These products are used for highly abrasion-resistant and flexible hoses, films and cable sheathing as well as for melt-spun spandex. Other applications include thermo-plastic polyetheresters, polyetheramide and cast polyurethane elastomers, proven in their use for skateboard wheels and inline skates.