Sammy Schröter
Vice President, Isochem Kautschuk Group
Global VP at Isochem Kautschuk Group and Director of Operations at Isochem Ltd. Hong Kong, Sammy Schröter is responsible for managing the interface between product development, production, and global sales of specialty isocyanates. He has been with Isochem for over ten years and has developed a broad, application-oriented understanding of isocyanate-based technologies through close collaboration with R&D, production, and customers.
He has been closely involved in the development and commercialization of several key product platforms, including isocyanate dispersions, blocked isocyanates, and elastomer systems, supporting applications in adhesives, automotive components, and renewable energy technologies. Sammy Schröter holds degrees in Psychology and Management from the International School of Management in Frankfurt and Economics from Shanghai University. He is based in Europe and works globally across Asia, North America, and Europe.
Dual-Function Amine-Blocked TDI Dimer Dispersion for Sustainable PU Adhesives
Two-component (2K) polyurethane adhesive systems are well established for their high mechanical performance but are associated with formulation complexity, strict mixing ratios, limited pot life, and increased handling and safety requirements. Conventional one-component (1K) polyurethane dispersions were developed to simplify processing; however, they have historically failed to achieve comparable performance due to a fundamental limitation: the inability to combine long-term storage stability with effective chemical crosslinking in aqueous systems. As a result, classical 1K dispersions often rely primarily on physical film formation, leading to limited thermal and chemical resistance.
This presentation compares classical 2K PU systems, conventional 1K PU dispersions, and an advanced water-dispersed TDI dimer technology, demonstrating how intelligent isocyanate design combined with a novel dual-function amine can overcome these trade-offs. The system is based on a highly purified TDI dimer with a residual monomer content below 0.1% and employs a unique amine-based blocking strategy.
At ambient conditions, the tailored amine acts as a blocking agent, protecting the isocyanate functionality from premature reaction with water and enabling storage stability of up to six months. Upon thermal activation at approximately 85–90 °C, the same amine transitions into a catalytic role, promoting crosslinking within the polyurethane matrix. This dual-function behavior enables a clear separation between storage stability and curing reactivity.
Compared to classical 1K systems, the dispersion enables true chemical network formation with improved thermal and mechanical performance. In contrast to 2K PU systems, it allows simplified single-component processing without pot-life limitations while retaining the performance advantages of aromatic isocyanate chemistry. The water-based system supports low-VOC formulations, reduced isocyanate exposure, and improved regulatory compliance.
Breakout Session X – Sustainable PU Systems: From Raw Materials to Reactivity – 17 September 2026 – 17:00 – 17:30 – Room Whittle – F3