Vegetable oil-based polyol is produced from vegetable oil with a catalyst, featuring low toxicity, high biodegradability, and renewability. Compared to petro-based polyols, vegetable oil-based polyols offer higher environmental performance, making them suitable for producing eco-friendly products such as high-strength polyurethane elastomers, shoe soles, car seats, power equipment, and more.
In addition to environmental benefits, vegetable oil-based polyol also exhibits high biocompatibility. Such polyol is less likely to cause allergic reactions, and has minimal irritation to skin and mucous membrane.
Soybean Oil-Based Polyols
Raw Material
Soybean oil, a triacylglycerol containing oleate (20%-30%), linoleate (45%-58%), and linolenate (4%-10%). These fatty acids make soybean oil an ideal raw material for preparing polyether polyols.
Soybean Oil-Based Polyols
It is produced from soybean oil through processes like epoxidation and hydroxylation. Soybean is a widely grown crop and hence soybean oil-based polyol is more competitive in the market due to its renewability and low cost. With biodegradability and renewability, it has become an important research subject in the field of bio-based polyols.
Applications
It’s used to manufacture polyurethane foams, elastomers, and coatings, covering furniture, automobile, and other industries.
Castor Oil-Based Polyols
Raw Material
Castor oil, a natural vegetable oil extracted from castor beans, containing abundant unsaturated fatty acids and hydroxyl groups.
Castor Oil-Based Polyol
It is produced as a result of the reaction of castor oil with a comonomer (propylene oxide) in the presence of a catalyst (e.g. double metal cyanide-DMC). Castor oil is rich in ricinoleic acid, which is an unsaturated fatty acid that gives such polyols unique properties in specific applications, such as excellent hydrolysis resistance and corrosion resistance. Therefore, castor oil-based polyol is widely used to manufacture high-performance PUs.
Applications
It’s used to manufacture high-performance PUs, such as high-performance elastomers, weather-resistant coatings, etc.
Palm Oil-Based Polyols
Raw Material
Palm oil, a plant oil extracted from palm fruit, containing rich fatty acids and glycerol.
Palm Oil-Based Polyols
It is a high molecular compound containing multiple hydroxyl (-OH) groups, and produced from palm oil via polycondensation with a comonomer like propylene oxide. Palm oil-based polyol is low in VOCs and meets environmental protection requirements.
Applications
It’s used to manufacture polyurethane foam, elastomers and coatings, covering furniture, automobile, building insulation and other industries.
Rapeseed Oil-Based Polyols
Rapeseed Oil-Based Polyols
It’s a polyether polyol made from rapeseed oil. Rapeseed oil is abundant in production and relatively stable in price, giving rapeseed oil-based polyols a cost advantage. Although rapeseed oil is one of most abundant produced edible oils, it remains a daily necessity and is less applied in polyurethanes production.
Summary
With continuous technology advancement and cost reduction, the competitiveness of vegetable oil-based polyols will be enhanced. However, this market also faces some challenges. On one hand, the international competition is becoming increasingly fierce. Enterprises from various countries actively increase R&D investment to upgrade product quality and performance. On the other hand, production processes, feedstock supply and other aspects of vegetable oil-based polyols need to be further optimized.
