
Rethinking Polyester Polyurethanes
Algae Based Renewable, Sustainable, Biodegradable and Recyclable Materials
- 1st Edition - April 24, 2023
- Imprint: Elsevier
- Editor: Robert S. Pomeroy
- Language: English
- Paperback ISBN:9 7 8 - 0 - 3 2 3 - 9 9 9 8 2 - 3
- eBook ISBN:9 7 8 - 0 - 3 2 3 - 9 8 3 1 3 - 6
Rethinking Polyester Polyurethanes: Algae Based Renewable, Sustainable, Biodegradable and Recyclable Materials explains how and why bio-based materials, specifically algae, will c… Read more

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Request a sales quoteRethinking Polyester Polyurethanes: Algae Based Renewable, Sustainable, Biodegradable and Recyclable Materials explains how and why bio-based materials, specifically algae, will change the polymer industry. The book provides background on algae, polyurethanes (PUs), and their everyday use. It covers the biology and chemistry behind how and why these materials are engineered to be both biodegradable and, through the process of depolymerization, fully recyclable. Chapters cover Re-evaluating the Sources, Redefining the Analytics, Reformulating Polyester Polyurethanes, and The Future. The latter part of the book describes the landscape of bio-based materials, the eco-consumer, and insights into the industry problem of “greenwashing.”
This book is a valuable resource for industry professionals who use polyurethanes in the supply chain for manufactured products, those in sales and marketing or regulatory roles who wish to better understand the unique advantages of bio-based materials, and researchers studying R&D of biobased polyurethanes or remediation of microplastics pollution on land and in bodies of fresh and saltwater worldwide.
This book is a valuable resource for industry professionals who use polyurethanes in the supply chain for manufactured products, those in sales and marketing or regulatory roles who wish to better understand the unique advantages of bio-based materials, and researchers studying R&D of biobased polyurethanes or remediation of microplastics pollution on land and in bodies of fresh and saltwater worldwide.
- Builds on the foundation of sustainable, renewable, biodegradable, recyclable microplastics, with lifecycle assessment, techno-economic analysis, and the green premium
- Clarifies the true economics—if we were to go back to initial development of the plastics industry, what would we do differently?
- Covers the basic science—the knowledge required to effectively communicate the use of materials that are on first examination more expensive, but on closer examination less expensive when environmental consequences are factored
Industry professionals who use polyurethanes in the supply chain for manufactured products, those in sales and marketing or regulatory roles who wish to better understand the unique advantages of bio-based materials, researchers studying R&D of biobased polyurethanes or remediation of microplastics pollution on land and in bodies of fresh and salt water worldwide; Students in environmental chemistry, science, and policy courses in chemistry, polymer and materials science, biology, engineering, and business
- Cover image
- Title page
- Table of Contents
- Copyright
- Dedication
- Contributors
- Author’s biographies
- Foreword
- Acknowledgments
- Part I: Overview
- Chapter 1: Rethinking plastics
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Plastics: What are they?
- Petroleum: What is it, how is it formed, and how is it transformed?
- The carbon cycle
- What is green chemistry?
- Why algae?
- Life cycle assessment (LCA) and techno-economic analysis (TEA): How is sustainability measured?
- Polyester versus polyether polyurethanes and biodegradability
- Why is the change so slow? The economics of petroleum
- Stumbling out the gate: Greenwashing and the eco-consumer
- Organization of the book
- References
- Part II: Re-evaluating the sources
- Chapter 2: Why algae?
- Abstract
- Introduction
- The foundations
- Summary: Algae at agricultural and industrial scales
- References
- Chapter 3: Renewable, sustainable sources and bio-based monomers
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Different types of polyols
- Polyester polyols derived from natural oils
- Polyester polyols derived from algae oil
- Bio-based diacids for polyester polyols
- Bio-based diisocyanates and polyisocyanates
- Conclusions
- References
- Part III: Redefining the analytics
- Chapter 4: Biodegradation: The biology
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Definitions
- Why don’t conventional materials biodegrade?
- Biological processes
- Environments suitable for biodegradation
- Methods of measuring biodegradation
- Organisms: Bacteria and fungi
- Enzymes
- Effects of chemical structures
- Why definitions and measurements matter: Greenwashing
- References
- Chapter 5: Polyurethane processing and degradation: The analytical chemistry
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Analytical methods of measuring polyurethane precursors
- Analytical methods of monitoring biodegradation
- References
- Chapter 6: TEA and LCA of bio-based polyurethanes
- Abstract
- Introduction
- The foundations
- Summary
- References
- Part IV: Reformulating polyester polyurethanes
- Chapter 7: Polyurethanes: Foams and thermoplastics
- Abstract
- Polyurethanes: The basics
- Foams
- Thermoplastics
- Conclusions
- References
- Chapter 8: Coatings, adhesives, and sealants from polyester polyurethanes
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Polyester polyurethane coatings and adhesives from algae-based raw materials
- Formulation of coatings and adhesives from renewable polyester polyurethane
- Status and future
- References
- Chapter 9: Biodegradable biocomposites
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Biocomposites: Bio-based biodegradable fiber-reinforced polymers
- Biocomposites
- Challenges to biocomposites
- References
- Part V: Reimagining polyester polyurethanes
- Chapter 10: Bioloop: The circular economy
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Background
- The circular economy
- Chemical recycling
- Enzymatic degradation
- The Bioloop
- Conclusion
- References
- Chapter 11: The bioplastics market: History, commercialization trends, and the new eco-consumer
- Abstract
- The history of bioplastics
- Current bioplastics market size and share
- The reputation of bioplastics
- The commercialization of new bioplastic technologies
- The evolution of the eco-consumer
- Barriers to commercialization
- The future of the bioplastics market
- Conclusion
- References
- Chapter 12: The future of biobased polymers from algae
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Algae: The beginning
- Petroleum is ancient algae
- Our petroleum addiction
- The origins of plastics
- First-generation renewable plastics
- Second-generation renewable plastics
- Algae still the base of the global carbon cycle
- Fuel, food, and bioplastics
- Biodegradation
- Recycling vs. monomer reuse
- Technologies on the horizon that can help us realize a more sustainable future
- How you can make an impact
- Conclusion
- References
- Index
- Edition: 1
- Published: April 24, 2023
- Imprint: Elsevier
- No. of pages: 318
- Language: English
- Paperback ISBN: 9780323999823
- eBook ISBN: 9780323983136
RP
Robert S. Pomeroy
Robert S. “Skip” Pomeroy is a Teaching Professor at UC San Diego. He is an analytical chemist and works in several research centers within the university (CAICE, CalCAB, FF21, and the Center for Renewable Materials) serving as an educational lead and chemical analyst. He obtained his BA in chemistry from UC San Diego, MS in Analytical Chemistry from Cal Poly Pomona, and Ph.D in analytical chemistry from the University of Arizona, and was a postdoctoral student in the Marine Physical Lab at Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Dr. Pomeroy also served as the R&D lead for Southern Grouts and Mortars for 10 years.
Affiliations and expertise
Teaching Professor, UC San Diego, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, La Jolla, CA, USARead Rethinking Polyester Polyurethanes on ScienceDirect