Biopolyols In Polyurethane Production

摘要

Polyols are alcohol intermediates that are used in the production of polyurethane foams, coatings, adhesives, and various other applications. Almost all polyols are currently derived from petroleum. However, a major challenge faced by the polyol industry is to develop a method to economically convert biobased feedstocks to high-quality biobased polyols that would avoid severe petroleum price spikes and supply uncertainties.The research group headed by Herman Benecke at Battelle Memorial Institute carried out a research work based on cost-effective and highly efficient biopolyols as an alternative to the petroleum-derived polyols. The researchers used biobased raw materials such as soybean oil or vegetable oil and their feed stocks; primary polyols such as glycerin, ethylene glycol, or propylene glycol. Ozone was also used as the enabling reagent. This approach was observed to be versatile in the use of crude glycerin.