PUR polyurethane was developed in Germany during World War II. Its main application is in coatings, elastomers and foams. This type of polymer has a very high resistance to abrasion. Due to the combination of low heat transfer and cost effectiveness, it is widely used as an insulating material.

PUR polyurethane is used as insulation and other limited applications with a high temperature capability of about 250 degrees Fahrenheit. It does not have good resistance to direct sunlight or in contact with most organic solvents. There are two common types of PUR polyurethane: Polyester-based and Polyether-based.