Biobased MPA for Sustainable Coatings from Hemicellulose

Date:Feb 13, 2023

Country: Netherlands

Application

• Coatings: Used in alkyd and polyester coatings, providing enhanced gloss, scratch resistance, and UV stability.
• Specialty Polymers and Resins: Suitable for use in specialty polymers, adhesives, and resins, offering a sustainable alternative to petrochemical-based products.
• The bio-MPA developed in this project is used in sustainable coatings, specialty polymers, adhesives, and resins. It serves as a biobased alternative to traditional phthalic anhydride, offering improved performance and environmental benefits.

Description

Relement, a renewable chemistry startup, has developed a biobased alternative to phthalic anhydride (PA), called bio-MPA, using 2-methylfuran derived from biomass, particularly hemicellulose. This bio-MPA can replace fossil-based PA in coatings, polymers, and resins, offering improved hardness and lower environmental impact. The project aims to make the chemical industry more sustainable by using renewable feedstocks and reducing CO2 emissions. Relement has partnered with various suppliers and research organizations to scale up this innovative process.

Pathway Description:

The process includes converting these biomass inputs into intermediates like furfural or bio-based aromatics, which are then processed into phthalic anhydride through catalytic transformations. This transition to bio-based production aligns with the chemical industry's goals of reducing carbon emissions and dependence on fossil fuels, potentially paving the way for more environmentally friendly production chains.