Other Industrial Fields

Biobased materials have attracted considerable attention in many areas, particularly due to the severe worldwide depletion of fossil fuel resources and increasing environmental pollution concerns. Therefore, huge efforts have been made on the production and application of biobased materials as alternatives to traditional petroleum-based materials. Biobased materials, derived from biomass, always have a high potential to replace the petroleum-derived adhesives, reinforcement fabrics, polymers, plastics, etc.

Common Industrial Fields

In addition to the applications in food industry, biopharmaceuticals and biocosmetics, biobased materials can be used in various industrial fields. We focus on the following ones:

Automotive Industry

The automotive industry is directly affected by the shortage of petroleum-based materials and the excessive pollution resulting from crude oil-based fuels has many adverse effects on the environment. The industrial sector's interest in bio-based materials has been significantly seen increasing over the last few years.

Examples of bio-based materials, which are having direct automotive applications, include bio-films, fibrous nature solutions for the interior parts, bio-composite materials, and natural organic sheets ^[1]. For instance, biobased polyurethanes have been seen to replace the traditionally used fossil fuel-based foams and bio-based polyamides are found to have the potential to replace the petrochemical by-products in automotive industry.

Coating Industry

The production of sustainable coatings derived from sustainable and renewable resources with improved and multifunctional performances is necessary. Generally, functional biobased coatings can be applied to improve the surface characteristics of a substrate which include the adhesion, wettability, water repellence, anti-corrosion properties and gas barrier.

In the quest to find and identify renewable raw materials for use in coatings, biobased polyurethanes, polyesters and epoxy resins are very significant. In general, biobased coatings can be used in several applications, including aerospace, automotive, marine structures, biomedical devices, decorative stuff, energy items, etc ^[2].

Textile Industry

Historically, natural fibers such as cotton are the dominant type of fiber used for textiles. While demands for higher chemical stability and mechanical properties lead to the continuous development of biosynthetic fibers in textile industry.

In the textile field, biosynthetic fibers mainly refer to nylon and polyester which are derived from renewable sources, such as starches, sugars, and lipids. For instance, a biobased PA1010, yarned from biomass of Ricinus communis, has finer mechanical properties (25% lighter than other polyester fiber) whilst retaining the same covering properties, and it has a superior modulus of elasticity, a built-in bacteriostatic capacity, and intrinsic thermal insulation properties.

Benefits of Biobased Materials

Followings are some advantages of using biobased materials.

To reduce the dependency on limited fossil resources.
To reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
To be carbon neutral.
To consume less energy for their production

Alfa Chemistry is a professional supplier of biobased products used in industrial fields. For high quality products, professional technical service, use suggestion and latest industry news, please feel free to contact us.

References

Prasanth, S. M., Kumar, P. S., Harish, S., et al. Application of biomass derived products in mid-size automotive industries: A review. Chemosphere, 2021, 280, 130723.
Gigante V, Panariello L, Coltelli M-B, et al. Liquid and Solid Functional Bio-Based Coatings. Polymers. 2021; 13(21):3640.