Singapore researchers produce textiles from sugar

April 1, 2014 |

In Singapore, scientists from A*STAR’s Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN) have developed a high-yield, environmentally friendly way to make adipic acid, an important part of the nylon-making process, out of sugar derived from plant sources. Currently, adipic acid is made commercially from petroleum-based chemicals in a process that emits large amounts of greenhouse gases.

Processes to synthesise adipic acid from mucic acid — which in turn comes from sugar from fruit peels — either use very strong and dangerous chemicals, or have a low product yield. IBN developed a chemical process using a simple alcohol solvent that reduces the number of steps needed to convert mucic acid to adipic acid, and raises the product yield to 99 per cent, up from 60 per cent using existing processes.

Category: Research

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