Scientists offer companies novel biobased chemistry for greener polyurethane

In Colorado, through a novel chemistry using nontoxic resources like linseed oil, waste grease, or even algae, scientists at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory developed a groundbreaking method for producing renewable polyurethane without toxic precursors.

It is a breakthrough with the potential to green the market for products ranging from footwear, to automobiles, to mattresses, and beyond.

By replacing petroleum-based polyols with select natural oils, and toxic isocyanates with bio-based amino acids, NREL researchers managed to synthesize polymers with properties comparable to conventional polyurethane. In other words, they developed a viable renewable, nontoxic alternative to conventional polyurethane.

In the two short years since they first demonstrated the viability of producing fully renewable, nontoxic polyurethane, several companies have already contributed resources and research partnerships in the push for its commercialization.