Seeking Bioderived Thermoplastic-like Resin Suitable for Vacuum Infusion or Resin Transfer Moulding

A global chemical company, leading in the manufacturing of products for the Composites, Advanced Composites, Adhesives and Functional Polymer markets, is looking for a bioderived thermoplastic-like resin (i.e., liquid at working temperature) that can be used to prepare medium to large-size glass fibre composite structures. The liquid resin should set to form a hard/solid matrix to consolidate the fibres together to form the finished article. Upon end-of-life, the fibres and the resin should be recoverable to ensure landfill and incineration is avoided.

Approaches of Interest

• An example of a technical solution (albeit not bioderived) is a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) dissolved in methyl methacrylate to give a liquid resin. The resin can be injected into a mould containing glass fibres along with a suitable free radical initiating system to allow the methyl methacrylate to polymerise forming a hard solid matrix. At end-of-life, the composite can be recycled via depolymerisation of the resin, or heated to allow remoulding
• However, there is a large GWP (global warming potential) figure for methyl methacrylate. Our client will consider only non-petroleum starting materials
• Open to all sources that are renewable, e.g., plants, algae, microorganisms, so long as they have net‑zero CO2 emissions and do not contribute to the pollution of the environment. Recycled resins are also of interest e.g., biomass
• Alternatives to thermoplastics, including reversible crosslinking thermosets such as Vitrimers will also be considered
• Open to technologies that allow for realistic options other than landfill/incineration for structural composites at end-of-life
• Application of resins include composites suitable for wind turbines, marine and transport
• There is also interest in additives and modifiers for biopolymers

Stage of Development

• Technology readiness level at TRL 3 and above is of interest, with a particular interest with technologies that have a clear path to commercialisation, are scalable, and have a fair price comparison with conventional petroleum‑based polymers
• As a minimum, the technology must demonstrate the injection of a liquid material (temperature fixed at maximum of 50°C) that turns from a liquid to a solid within a mould

Submission Information

Submission of one page, 200-300 word briefs are encouraged, along with any optional supplementary information e.g. relevant publications and patents. In submitting to this campaign, you confirm that your submission contains only non-confidential information. 

Opportunity for Collaboration

Our client is open to a range of collaboration opportunities, with the most appropriate outcome being decided on a case-by-case basis. Example outcomes include licencing assets, project/PhD funding, and research collaborations.