BiOH® HotSpot

What are BiOH® Polyols?
We guess that you’re probably asking that question since “polyol” is not a word that most people use everyday, and we know that the majority of our family and friends still don’t completely understand what we do! BiOH polyols are an ingredient for flexible foam in products you use daily - upholstered furniture, mattresses, mattress toppers, pillows, carpet cushion, and automotive seats. Traditional foam and carpet cushion ingredients are made from petroleum-based chemicals. BiOH polyols are made from a renewable resource – soybean oil. (Hence, our Soy Love section.) Today BiOH polyols cannot replace all of the petroleum chemicals in these products, but we are leading the industry.

BiOH polyols were created and are produced by a dedicated team of individuals within Cargill. We have very defined values, and we’re excited about the journey we’re on! We believe adopting products with BiOH polyols is not simply about making a responsible product choice, but really about a broader lifestyle of making a difference for the environment and our communities. Learn more in the video below:

Renewable Content
Current BiOH technology allows our customers to create products with typical levels of renewable content from 5 to 20%. Considering that only 3 years ago all of these products were 100% petroleum-based, we think this is a significant step! However, we’re not satisfied yet; the BiOH team is committed to developing new chemistries that create products with higher levels of renewable content.

A Responsible Choice
The foam made with BiOH polyols performs like the petroleum-based foams you’re used to. (In fact, the reason our customers can’t use more renewable content is because they want to ensure quality foam cushioning that will last.) Foams made with BiOH polyols have been used in the home furnishings industry since 2005 so they’ve been thoroughly tested. (Maybe you’re sitting on some right now!?!)

You get quality products that meet your needs while leaving a smaller environmental footprint. We’re in the process of updating our life cycle data but an earlier preliminary life cycle analysis indicated that manufacturing BiOH polyols requires 60% less non-renewable energy and results in less global warming emissions than manufacturing the petroleum polyols we replace. Additionally, for every 1 million lbs of BiOH polyols used, over 2200 barrels of crude oil are saved. Considering that the industry uses billions of pounds of petroleum polyols, BiOH polyols can have an impact on using less petroleum.

Where to Find BiOH Products
The Retail Locator to find retail locations with BiOH products is finally live!! You can search by zip code and/or product type to find retailers in your area. We are still adding and editing locations… so check back often!  You’ll find that some retailers have really embraced the BiOH story and are committed to education through their website and stores like these folks:
*Circle Furniture on Green

*HOM Furniture: Doing the Right Thing:

*La Difference on Soy

*Room & Board Upholstery Options

*The Century House linking back to our blog

Additionally, below is a list of manufacturers that use foams with BiOH polyols across all or some of their product lines. You can also visit our B2B site for a list of these brands and links to their websites.

The Latest BiOH News
Interested in what’s happened with BiOH polyols lately? Here are a few tidbits.

*Copeland Furniture was named the 2009 Sage Award winner – an award program inspired by and sponsored by the BiOH polyols team.

*Learn why Arconas became the first airport seating manufacturer to incorporate BiOH polyols.

*We partnered with Room & Board and the Minneapolis College of Art & Design to present “Experience Soy Style: Be in the KnOH!” on October 10, 2009.

 
*BiOH Polyols sponsors Green Design Summit

*Cargill teams with Customers to Donate Furniture for Green Habitat for Humanity Home

*Products made with BiOH Polyols featured in an Idea House by Progressive Farmer. Take a tour!

Have you seen the BiOH name in the news lately? Have you purchased or used any products made with BiOH ingredients? If so, please share with us in the comments section below.