Polyols, representing ~31BILLION global market, are majorlyfor polyurethanesmanufacturing

The majority of polyols are currently produced from petroleum feedstock, resulting in emissions of about 3.5-4.88KG CO2-EQ per KG of polyols. This project aims to develop an enabling technology to produce 100% BIO-based polyols and BIO-polyether polyols with 2-3 hydroxyl equivalent functionally from non-food biomass. The products are anticipated to meet the current market needs to mitigate customers challenges, deliver safer and natural BIO-products, and mitigate climate challenges. The proposed research from this project will enable manufacturing process development for the proposed BIO polyols and validate commercial potential of the product. Specifically, we will develop reactor and process parameters to (1) improve the yield and selectivity of BIO-polyols, (2) synthesize 2-hydroxyl equivalent BIO-polyols, (3) upgrade BIO-polyols to BIO-ether polyols (4) develop a process intensified manufacturing process with low capex and low energy demand and (5) validate the product's market fit.products and intermediates will be analyzed using various chromatographic and spectroscopic methods. Product's key specifications will be measured using internationally accepted astm methods. Biodegradability will be assessed. Finally cost and global emission potentials will be calculated. We anticipate a significant outcome from this phase I research to move this technology towards commercialization in phase II.