FOAMED ISOCYANATE-BASED POLYMER

There is described a novoel isocyanate-based polymer foam. The isocyanate - based polymer foam is derived from a reaction mixture comprising: (a) an i socyanate; (b) a mixture of active hydrogen-containing compounds; and (c) a blowing agent. The mixture of active hydrogen-containing compounds comprises : (i) a bio-based polyol having an OH functionality of greater than about 2. 0, an OH number in the range of from about 90 to about 200 and a molecular w eight (Mn) of at least about 1100, and (ii) a petroleum-based active hydroge n-containg compound. It has been surprisingly and unexpectedly discovered th at relatively high amounts (compared to the prior art) of such a bio-based p olyol may be incorporated into an isocyanate-based polymer foam while mainta ining a desirable balance of properties in the foam. Use of such a bio- base d polyol (as a single bio-based polyol or a mixture of bio-based polyols) al lows for displacement of at least a portion of petroleum-based polyols conve ntionally used in the production of isocyanate-based polymer foam while main taining a desirable balance of properties in the foam, particularly molded f oam. The addition benefit is that such displacement is of a component that t his non-renewable and relatively more expensive than bio-based polyols.