Succinic Acid: A Bio-Based Building Block for Succinate Polyester Polyols in Modified Thermoplastic Urethanes using a Cast Molding Urethane Pre-polymer Process

摘要

Bio-based Succinic Acid (Bio-based SA) has emerged as one of the new bio-based chemicals. BioAmber s highly efficient yeast based fermentation process produces a high quality polymerization grade succinic acid (C_4H_6O_4) and does so in an efficient process that reduces the CO_2 emissions and saves energy compared to analogous petrochemical based organic acids such as succinic acid (p-BA) or adipic acid (AA). As a platform chemical, BioAmber s bio-based succinic acid can react with glycols to make succinate polyester polyols (SA-PEPs) useful in polyurethane (PU) chemistry. These polyols are comparable to adipic acid based polyester polyols (AA-PEPs) however, polyester based polyurethanes made using succinate polyester polyols tend to exhibit excellent strength and elongation profiles along with excellent solvent resistance compared to adipates and can generate PU with greater than 60% renewable carbon. In this study, we will present recent findings comparing polyurethanes made with different SA polyesters polyols and will describe the impact of the SA-PEP composition on viscosity, hydrolysis rate and TPU end physical properties. We will conclude by discussing how these properties can influence the performance window of these urethanes in elastomer applications. Bio-based SA and SA-PEPs provides formulation flexibility to polyurethanes and can enable thermoplastic urethane with differentiated properties and renewable carbon content, thus enabling what BioAmber believes to be a valuable tool for bringing sustainability and performance to the PU tool box.