Cambridge Biopolymers Ltd
Ickleton Road, Duxford, Cambridge CB22 4FB, United Kingdom
Telephone : +44 (0) 1223 832026 Fax : +44 (0) 1223 833336
Bioresins
A range of formaldehyde-free thermosetting adhesives derived from natural triglyceride vegetable oils (e.g. Rapeseed, Soya, Sunflower) or phenolic plant oils such as Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL). Bioresins are produced via a patented technology for reductive ozonolysis of the oil.
Vegetable oils such as Oilseed Rape, Linseed and Soybean are commodity crops available in huge quantities and traded on a global basis. The bioresin synthesis process has now been transferred successfully to use a variety of these oils as the base material. Other reactive species, such as tannins, are incorporated into the formulation to facilitate curing. These aromatic nucleophiles enhance the resin properties so that a rapid cure can be obtained, and once polymerised afford excellent bond strengths.
Depending upon the application requirements, the bioresins can be delivered as aqueous or oil based systems that can be cured either in acidic or alkaline conditions. Similarly, the bioresins can be formulated to cure over a temperature range from ambient to in excess of 200oC.
Environmental/Health and Safety Benefits
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The principal component of bioresin is vegetable oil. When growing, this material fixes more atmospheric carbon dioxide, weight for weight, than any other plant material. The replacement of 1 tonne of conventional resin derived from petrochemicals with 1 tonne of bioresin could yield a net reduction of up to 7 tonnes of CO2 in the environment. |
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Bioresin has a clean and efficient production process with no hazardous emissions. |
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Bioresin is formaldehyde free, thus removing the risk of exposure to this carcinogenic compound providing major benefits for both environmental health and personal safety. (In 2004, the International Association for Research on Cancer (IARC) declared formaldehyde to be a known human carcinogen.) |
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Bioresin can significantly reduce or remove the risk associated with cross-linking agents used in other resin systems, such as sulphur in furan based resins. |
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Bioresin eliminates potentially hazardous off-gasses from consumer products. |
Commercial Benefits for Customers
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Bioresin provides a marketing advantage for products by the inclusion of an environmentally friendly, sustainable and formaldehyde-free adhesive. |
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Bioresin has performance characteristics comparable with traditional petrochemical resins. |
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Bioresin can create in-use savings through a reduced requirement for emission abatement on production lines. |
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Bioresin can eliminate the need for release agents and reduce or eliminate the need for other processing aids such as the oil used in fibreglass insulation production. |
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Bioresin is versatile and can accommodate a wide range of process conditions and product formulations. |
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The use of plant oils creates polymers with a greater intra-chain length than traditional resins. On curing, this property produces a structure that can be less brittle (providing flexibility before mechanical failure) allowing for improved impact resistance in structural applications and less dusting during the manufacture of fibrous composites. |
Cambridge Biopolymers together with our research partner, the BioComposites Centre at University of Wales Bangor, is continuing to develop these products to commercialisation.
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