Polymerisation
| Technology | |
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| Technology details | |
| Name: | Polymerisation |
| Category: | Conversions |
| Feedstock: | Single molecules, monomers |
| Product: | Polymers (polyolefins, polycondensates) |
Polymerisation (polymerization in American English) is the process of reaction smaller molecules, i.e. monomers, together into a chain or network, i.e. a polymer. There are many forms of polymerisation reactions. A common distinction is between homopolymers, where one type of monomer forms the polymer, and co-polymers, where multiple different monomers make up the polymer. A well-known application of polymers is in plastics. However, polymerisations can also lead to smaller chains, known as oligomers, which are for example used as plasticisers and lubricants.
Feedstock
Several bio-based feedstock options have been explored for the production of bio-based polymers. Lignin can be depolymerised and the obtained products can be used as monomers. Ethanol from fermentations can be processed to produce ethylene, a common feedstock for polymerisations. Fatty acids can be used in long-chain linear aliphatic polymers. Other biomass feedstock includes CO2, terpenes, and furfural.[1] High purity of the feedstock is crucial for successful polymerisation reactions, which are highly susceptible to pollutants, often leading to lower polymerisation grades or smaller polymerisation chains.
Process and technologies
There has been signifcant effort to produce polymers from biomass rest streams. The key challenge lies in producing materials that have comparable or improved properties to their fossil-based counterparts. The right processing, which is often neglected by chemists, plays a crucial role in enhancing the material properties.[1]
Product
Three critical processes to obtain sustainable bio-based polymers are the conversion of lignin monomers to polymers, the production of bio-based polyolefins, for example from ethylene via the ethanol route, and the production of long-chain aliphatic polycondensates, which can be obtained from fatty acids.[1]
Technology providers
[space for technology comparison]
Petron Scientech Inc. (Ethanol to Ethylene)
Patents
Currently no patents have been identified yet.
References
- ↑ a b c Zhongkai Wang, Mitra S. Ganewatta, Chuanbing Tang, 2020-02-01: Sustainable polymers from biomass: Bridging chemistry with materials and processing. Progress in Polymer Science, Vol. 101, 101197. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2019.101197