Reactive polymer feedstock derived from industrial organic waste

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Reactive polymers, like epoxy resins, are mostly based on petroleum. It is also possible to use bio-based feedstock, as lignin from wood processing, or polyols derived from carbohydrates. Other sources could be potato peels, coffee residues, plant hulls, or residues from paper recycling. Instead of burning or composting, which would reemit CO2 to the atmosphere, valuable molecules could be extracted to give resins for long-lasting applications, thus immobilizing carbon that had been absorbed by the plants. Reactive polymers, like epoxy or unsaturated polyester resins, are often used to manufacture parts and housings for long-living consumer goods and industrial components. While such resins are mostly derived from petroleum-based chemistry, it is also possible to use bio-based feedstock, like lignin from wood processing, or polyols derived from carbohydrates. However, there are several obstacles that make it difficult to follow the bio-feedstock route, like the demand for continuous and economic material sources that don’t conflict with food production. Such sources could be, for instance, potato peels, coffee extraction residues, all sorts of waste plant hulls and shells, or residues from paper recycling. Instead of burning or composting these residues, which would reemit CO2 to the atmosphere, valuable molecules could possibly be extracted to give resins and adhesives for long-lasting applications, thus immobilizing carbon that has been absorbed by the plants. Extraction residues could be pyrolyzed and serve as carbonaceous filler. This approach is very preliminary and should be investigated with regard to available sources and quantities, preferably together with partners from the industry that generates the organic waste. The Polymeric Material Workgroup at the OST Institute for Microtechnology and Photonics is dedicated to development and testing of novel polymers required for emerging technologies like sensors, micro systems, electronics, photonics, and medical or mobility applications that will help achieving a sustainable and safe future. In addition to their high functional value, these polymers will also directly contribute to decarbonization, if they can be produced from regenerative feedstock and/or made recyclable. This is why the IMP is performing application-related research on carbon-neutral polymer substitutes for the medical, electrical and electronics industry. We have long-term expertise in the formulation of various polymeric composites and their lifetime estimation by testing their properties throughout the whole polymer life cycle. www.ost.ch/imp/polymerics

Project Idea Metadata

• Project Idea Name: Reactive polymer feedstock derived from industrial organic waste
• Date: 3/31/2022 9:13:17 AM
• Administrators:
  • Arno Maurer

Project Idea Description

Reactive polymers, like epoxy or unsaturated polyester resins, are often used to manufacture parts and housings for long-living consumer goods and industrial components. While such resins are mostly derived from petroleum-based chemistry, it is also possible to use bio-based feedstock, like lignin from wood processing, or polyols derived from carbohydrates.

However, there are several obstacles that make it difficult to follow the bio-feedstock route, like the demand for continuous and economic material sources that don’t conflict with food production. Such sources could be, for instance, potato peels, coffee extraction residues, all sorts of waste plant hulls and shells, or residues from paper recycling. Instead of burning or composting these residues, which would reemit CO2 to the atmosphere, valuable molecules could possibly be extracted to give resins and adhesives for long-lasting applications, thus immobilizing carbon that has been absorbed by the plants. Extraction residues could be pyrolyzed and serve as carbonaceous filler. This approach is very preliminary and should be investigated with regard to available sources and quantities, preferably together with partners from the industry that generates the organic waste.

The Polymeric Material Workgroup at the OST Institute for Microtechnology and Photonics is dedicated to development and testing of novel polymers required for emerging technologies like sensors, micro systems, electronics, photonics, and medical or mobility applications that will help achieving a sustainable and safe future. In addition to their high functional value, these polymers will also directly contribute to decarbonization, if they can be produced from regenerative feedstock and/or made recyclable. This is why the IMP is performing application-related research on carbon-neutral polymer substitutes for the medical, electrical and electronics industry. We have long-term expertise in the formulation of various polymeric composites and their lifetime estimation by testing their properties throughout the whole polymer life cycle. www.ost.ch/imp/polymerics

Reactive polymers, like epoxy resins, are mostly based on petroleum. It is also possible to use bio-based feedstock, as lignin from wood processing, or polyols derived from carbohydrates. Other sources could be potato peels, coffee residues, plant hulls, or residues from paper recycling. Instead of burning or composting, which would reemit CO2 to the atmosphere, valuable molecules could be extracted to give resins for long-lasting applications, thus immobilizing carbon that had been absorbed by the plants.