Sustainable Chemistry

Bio-Based Polyester Resins and Sustainable Chemistry Many chemical substances are harmful to both human health and the environment. Production of numerous chemicals and raw materials known to be harmful and toxic continues today. For this reason, work on sustainable chemistry "green chemistry" is gaining momentum and importance in order to minimize this harm or, if possible, eliminate it entirely. Sustainable Chemistry or Green Chemistry is the sum of processes applied to reduce or eliminate the use or production of raw materials, solvents, main products, by-products and reactive substances that are harmful to human health or the environment. Sustainable Chemistry is a fundamental and important tool in providing pollution prevention. Pollution prevention is an approach to addressing environmental problems by attempting to completely prevent the formation of waste rather than treating or disposing of it afterwards [1]. The Council of the European Union has expressed its views on sustainable chemicals strategy. European Union industry aims to provide a high level of protection for human health and the environment through the production and use of safe and sustainable chemicals, substituting and minimizing substances of concern and enabling green and digital transitions, and progressively phasing out the most harmful chemicals that are not essential for societal uses. The Council welcomes the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability Towards a Toxic-Free Environment, which sets out a long-term vision for EU chemicals policy [2]. It is evident that the sustainable chemistry process is gaining more importance with each passing day. Within this scope, we at Eskim Kimya continue our efforts to take our place in the future and participate in this process. Our company has proven expertise in its field and enjoys superior recognition both domestically and internationally. Our company initially aimed to produce unsaturated polyester resins containing biological sources and has closely followed important developments on this subject [3] [4]. Unsaturated polyester resins are among the most important resins used in preparing fiber-reinforced polymer composite materials. These resins have reasonable prices and easy application properties compared to other thermoset resins. Unsaturated polyester resins are produced using petrochemical raw materials. Almost all of these sources are not renewable and are also unsuitable from a human health perspective. Furthermore, unfortunately they cannot be decomposed by bacteria in nature. For this reason, in the production of unsaturated polyester resins, the use of natural-biological sources containing 14C instead of synthetic sources containing 12C is quite important. Our company has conducted R&D work on innovative polyester resin production using various biological and renewable raw materials and has achieved very successful results. By adapting the knowledge accumulated in this field and related infrastructure to the Production Department, we have taken the first step in bio-based resin production. We have analyzed these products in an accredited laboratory according to the ASTM D6866 standard and confirmed the presence of 14C.               Our company initially aimed to produce unsaturated polyester resins using bio-based sources for kitchen and countertop production, known as Breton type. Subsequently, it developed tube-type resins produced using filament winding technique. These resins, while being bio-based, exhibit appropriate physical and chemical properties and also have high glass transition temperature and high mechanical strength values. As Eskim Kimya, in response to relevant requests made to us, we can prepare and certify unsaturated polyester resins containing bio-based sources in various ratios.   References [1] P. T. Anastas and T. C. Williamson, "Green Chemistry: An Overview," in Green Chemistry: An Overview, American Chemical Society, 1996. [2] European Council, "Sustainable Chemicals Strategy EU Council Conclusions," 17.12.2020. [3] "https://www.ivw.uni-kl.de/en/news/details/biobasiertealternative- zu-petrochemischen-ungesaettigten-polyesterharzen" 05.09.2022. [4] https://www.ineos.com/businesses/ineos-enterprises/businesses/ineoscomposites/products/unsaturated-polyester-resins/envirez/ 05.09.2022.     Deniz Karabulut Senior Chemical Engineer Head of Polyester and Composite Materials R&D Eskim Kimya Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş.