The need for bio-plastics is growing. Brand owners are looking for sustainable solutions for packaging, fibres, paints, inks and plastics.<\/p>\n
This creates a need for high-performance bio-plastics such as polyamides (PA) and polyesters (PET).<\/p>\n
The total global production of PET polymers was over 50 MT and that of PA over 10 MT in 2015. Furan dicarboxylic acid (FDCA) -based polyethylene furanoate (PEF) polymers offer a bio-based alternative to petroleum-based PET polymers.<\/p>\n
Polyamides are used in applications calling for high durability and strength. Muconic acid is a versatile monomer which can be converted to multiple PA monomers such as adipic acid, terephthalic acid, hexamethylene diamine, caprolactam, caprolactone and 1,6-hexanediol. Polyamides (PA) are used as engineering plastics, for example in automobiles.<\/p>\n
New prospects for the use of pectin<\/p>\n
VTT has developed a process to convert pectin biochemically to an aldaric acid, which in turn can be chemically converted to monomers for bio-based polyesters and polyamides. Pectin is a side stream obtained from citrus fruit peels or from sugar beet pulp.<\/p>\n
Sugar beet pulp is currently used as animal feed, but the goal is to use the pulp for higher-value applications. Pectin is currently underutilized as the production is only about 40 000 t\/a, with the potential of several tens of million tonnes available annually. Its current use is in the food and beverage industry as, for example, a gelling agent. In addition to pectin, wood- or plant-based glucose can be used in the production of aldaric acid.<\/p>\n
Competitive new technology<\/p>\n