DOST, MSU-IIT use green technology for polyols and polyurethane products
Researchers from the Mindanao state University-iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) convert plant-based raw material and its waste by-products into valuable and renewable polyols and polyurethanes (PU) for commercial production of coatings, insulation, and packing foam materials.
This sophisticated green technology of Dr. arnold a. Lubguban and his team at MSU-IIT’S Bioproducts Research Laboratories (BPRL), in collaboration with the Department of science andtechnology—philippine council for Industry, energy and emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD), uses renewable feedstock to produce highly functional polyols and Pu-based bioproducts, DOST-PCIEERD said in a news release.
They are used for commercial applications such as rigid insulation foams, semi-flexible packaging foam materials, and waterborne anticorrosive coatings.
The partner industries include chemrez Technologies Inc. and Nuevochem specialties, Inc.
“One of our innovations provides baseline data and methods for the commercialization of biomass-based polyols [Phase 1] and polyurethane foam insulation sheets [Phase 2] through an environmentally friendly process that is also characterized by reduced production costs because the raw materials are readily available by-products or waste products,” Lubguban said.
“Our main goal is to fully harness the potentials of science, technology, and innovation and constantly improve what is essential to the lives of those we serve,” Paringit remarked. “We will constantly provide new opportunities and invest in more efficient and environmentally sustainable greener technologies to build a more livable community,” he continued.
This year the project team will focus on the pilot scaling and optimization of their bio-based polyols to about 40 liters for PU insulation, coatings and packing applications.
The “Production of Bio-based Polyols and Polyurethanes for Industrial applications,” is a 36-month program with two project components that are aimed at developing bio-based polyols and PUS from renewable resources.