Automotive seats (cushion and backrest)

Automotive seats use molded flexible PU foam as the main comfort and support component. Each seat is composed of multiple foam pieces — seat cushion, backrest, side supports, headrest — with different densities and firmness to optimize ergonomics and durability. The foam is molded in closed molds from a bicomponent system (A-side isocyanate + B-side polyol), typically through RIM (Reaction Injection Molding) technology or similar high-productivity processes.

Automotive molded foam is significantly more sophisticated than furniture foam: carefully specified densities (typically 45 to 65 kg/m³ for cushions), strict ILD (Indentation Load Deflection) parameters for consistent firmness, durability properties measured in cycles (minimum 150,000 cycles for automotive approval), heat and cold resistance for extreme operating conditions, low VOC emissions for interior air quality.

The choice between MDI and TDI defines an important foam characteristic: MDI systems are common in modern passenger seats, offering better comfort and lower odor; TDI systems are traditionally dominant in entry-level segments and some commercial vehicles. Growing integration of features — heating, ventilation, massage, posture sensors — requires foams with precise internal cavities to accommodate electronic components.