Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: A New Renewable Polymer from Bio-Oil
EPA Contract Number: EPD11057Title: A New Renewable Polymer from Bio-Oil
Investigators: Luebben, Silvia D.
Small Business: TDA Research Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: March 1, 2011 through August 31, 2011
Project Amount: $80,000
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (2011) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: SBIR - Biofuels , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Description:
TDA Research, Inc. (TDA) is developing a process to make a novel, 100% renewable high performance thermoplastic polymer from cellulosic feedstocks. This polymer is made by polymerization of a non-toxic, economic and renewable monomer. The monomer can be obtained in large quantities and high purity from the fractionation of the bio-oil that is obtained from the fast pyrolysis of cellulose. In preliminary work, TDA proved that its renewable monomer can be polymerized to a high molecular weight product. The polymer had good stability, high stereo-regular structure, a Glass Transition Temperature of - 9 °C, and a Young's modulus of 600 MPa, which is intermediate between that of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE).
As the plastics industry moves more toward bio-based products and raw materials, the need for high-performance renewable polymers has been underscored. The lack of truly high-performance polymers has hampered the industry's transition to bio-based products. TDA's technology could provide the same high-performance characteristics as petroleum-derived polymers, but is renewable and biodegradable.
TDA was founded in 1987 and is located in Colorado. TDA's staff of 84 develops catalysts and sorbents, advanced materials and components. The company's development work is supported primarily by government R&D contracts. TDA retains the intellectual property developed under these contracts, and works in partnership with larger manufacturing companies to commercialize disruptive technologies.
Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
TDA's renewable polymer is neither a polyester, nor a polyamide, nor a polyolefin, and uses an innovative chemistry among synthetic polymers. To the best of TDA's knowledge the polymer has never been made outside TDA. The composition of TDA's polymer is novel, biomimetic and the intellectual property belongs to TDA.
TDA's technology offers disruptive advantages over competitive bio-plastics because the production of the monomer does not compete with the food supply chain, the polymer is biodegradable and easily compostable, and the monomer and degradation products are non-toxic and non-persistent chemicals. Furthermore, this technology promises a sustainable economic advantage because of its synergy with bio-diesel production, which reduces capital investment.
Conclusions:
TDA Research is looking for a partner to develop and commercialize the technology, potentially via a licensing arrangement.
End-users for renewable polymers and this technology include compounders, injection molders and blow molders, polymer processing equipment suppliers and retail buyers. The push toward biobased products is being driven by consumer preference, governmental authorities and retail buyers, along with sustainability initiatives all along the supply chain. Depending on the category, end-users are willing to pay the same amount or slightly more for a biobased product, all other things being equal, including performance.
Disposable tableware and food packaging are TDA's early target applications, and PET replacement in beverage bottles is the company's ultimate target. The ultimate market is conservatively estimated to be $7-8 billion. There is a clear gap in the technology offerings at present — the need for equal or superior performance has held back the transition to biobased polymers. Market drivers include reduction of solid waste costs, enhancing security of feedstock supply and the changing demand of consumers. This technology promises a sustainable advantage because of its synergy with the bio-oil fast pyrolysis process and the need for minimal capital investment in processing equipment to obtain a high-performance product.
Additional information may be obtained under non-disclosure agreement with TDA.
Supplemental Keywords:
biomimetic polymers, economic, non-toxic, renewable, PET alternativeThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.