Perstorp recently launched Char­mor polyols for use in intumescent coatings. Micronized and supermicronized Charmor polyols create an advanced char barrier for steel and wooden structures. When exposed to fire, intumescent coatings with Charmor swell 10 to 100 times their original thickness to form an insulating carbon char barrier that protects the substrate and building structure for a longer period of time than any other comparable product, according to the company. Perstorp’s high purity micronized polyol products improve fire protection by increasing the insulation effect of intumescent coatings. The carbon in Charmor forms a thick fire-resistant char barrier that helps to prevent the substrate from catching fire or distorting when a coating is exposed to temperatures over 250°C. The intumescent process starts at 250°C. Steel loses its strength at about 550°C.