Researchers found that the development of a completely bio-based and solvent-free polyester polyol is successful and can be used as a drop-in replacement for synthetic polyol.

The latest research results show that the properties of the newly developed, bio-based and solvent-free polyol meet industry standards and are almost identical to those of the synthetic equivalent. Source: Adobe.Stock

In recent years, many efforts are being devoted to the development of new materials that originate from renewable resources. Polyesters are one of the most important classes of such materials and several bio-based monomers are available for their synthesis. A current research presents the development of fully bio-based and solvent-free polyester polyol used for two-component polyurethane coatings on industrial scale. Fossil-based raw materials were substituted with bio-based alternatives that are commercially available on a large scale. Properties of polyols and coatings were determined and measured.

Polyols were characterized by the determination of acid number, hydroxyl number, glass transition temperature and refractive index, and measurement of viscosity, color and molecular weight. Coatings were characterized by the determination of mechanical properties, such as hardness, elasticity and impact resistance, and the measurement of optical properties such as gloss, haze, distinctness of image (DOI) and reflected image quality (RIQ) and weathering resistance. Three variations of bio-based polyol were synthesized, then the most suitable version was validated in a clear coat.

The results showed that the properties of the bio-based polyol and coating met the requirements and were comparable to the properties of the synthetic counterpart. Results indicate that this newly developed 100% bio-based and solvent-free polyol can be used as a drop-in replacement for synthetic polyol. Furthermore, this work implies that the supply chain is established which allows the green transition in the paint industry.

This research was published in Coatings 2023, 13(10), 1779.