The industrial potential of bio-based glycolic acid and polyglycolic acid

摘要

The use of renewable natural resources in industrial applications reduces dependence on oil and the carbon footprint attributable to manufacture and use of consumer products. Several well-known products have been commercialised leveraging on platform chemicals produced, for example, by fermentation of sugars, or conversions of triglycerides or fermentation products to precursors such as lactic acid, succinic acid, sebacic acid, ethylene and ethylene glycol, making fully or partially bio-based thermoplastic materials available. Despite its sustainable promise, a transition to a bio-based economy in many cases requires products that are not only ecologically ideal but also be feasible in terms of technical performance, easily applicable into existing processes, and product quality.