Book excerpt: Chemistry and Technology of Isocyanates is a comprehensive book on isocyanate chemistry and technology. It highlights the industrial applications of diisocyanates in the manufacture of flexible and rigid foams, elastomers, coatings and adhesives; discusses ionomers used in water-based coatings, polymer networks and biomedical polymers; and reviews current and future environmental issues, including toxicity and safe handling of isocyanates, recycling of isocyanate derived polymers and monomers derived from natural products.