{"id":2723,"date":"2015-07-10T08:00:57","date_gmt":"2015-07-10T13:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ulprospector.com\/knowledge\/?p=2723"},"modified":"2016-04-12T08:55:28","modified_gmt":"2016-04-12T14:55:28","slug":"pc-green-resin-technology-other-approach","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ulprospector.ul.com\/2723\/pc-green-resin-technology-other-approach\/","title":{"rendered":"Green Resin Technology – The Other Approach"},"content":{"rendered":"

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In April 2015, Prospector published an article<\/a> on green resin technology using bio-based resin building blocks in the synthesis of polymers for coatings. Another highly desirable approach to green technology is the incorporation of resins utilizing building blocks derived from recyclable materials<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Sales for resins\/polyols using recycled or bio-based polyols<\/a> are expected to grow twice as fast as the overall polyol market in the next four years[1]. Driving forces for the use of recycled materials in the manufacture of resins can be reduced health hazard[2] (figure 2), as well as environmental and economic factors. Other attributes include reducing the carbon footprint[3] (Figure 1), increasing sustainability, and conservation of natural resources. Green products are also growing in favor with multiple government and private agencies.<\/p>\n

Typical recyclable material <\/em><\/strong>sources may include polyethylene terephthalate (PET<\/em><\/strong>)<\/a>, designated rPET<\/em><\/strong> for recycled PET, recovered cooking oils<\/em><\/strong> and recycled polyurethane<\/em><\/strong> foam<\/a>. PET is typically used as containers for soft drinks and water, whereas polyurethane foams are used as carpet underlay and in mattresses. In the U.S. alone, there were 6.5 billion pounds of unrecycled PET-based containers in 2013.<\/p>\n

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Comprehensive Procurement Guideline Program (CPG<\/em><\/strong>) defines recycled material as such that the EPA deems equivalent to virgin material. RCRA Section 6002 also requires purchasing agencies to establish procurement programs for designated items that meet CPG<\/em><\/strong>. Scientific Certification Services (SCS)<\/em> <\/strong>recognizes products made either in whole or in part from recycled waste material in place of virgin materials. Through its certification process, SCS<\/em><\/strong> helps products qualify for credits within the LEED<\/em><\/strong> rating system. LEED<\/em><\/strong> is a certified U.S. Green Building Council program. Recycled content is certified by the U.S. Green Building Council\u2019s GreenCircle<\/em><\/strong> for total recycled content based on pre and post consumer recycled content in products.<\/p>\n

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Figure 1: Comparison of the cumulative energy demand of PET types.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Figure 2: Comparison of health impact for PET.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Various chemical processes are used to recover PET and polyurethanes including glycolysis<\/a> [4],\u00a0aminolysis, acidolysis and hydrolysis. For example, catalyzed glycolysis combines the recovered PET material[5] with diols<\/a> and heat to produce a polyol for use in the synthesis of resins for use in coatings or other applications:<\/p>\n

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Several companies have developed polyols and resins from recycled materials for use in coatings, including Nippon Paint (polyester resins from rPET<\/a><\/a><\/em><\/strong> and recycled cooking oil), Emery and InfiGreen (polyols for coatings), and Terrin (polyols). Resinate Materials Group utilizes rPET to synthesize a multitude of polyols and resins using a number of different rPET based platforms with a recycled\/renewable content as high as 99.9%, Resinate Materials Group technologies based on rPET<\/em><\/strong> include:<\/p>\n