Polyurethane (PU) coatings are used in many industrial applications, like in the furniture and automotive sectors. The main objective of the present work is the re-design of polyester binder for PU coatings using a selection of monomers derived from biorefinery. A preliminary comparative evaluation of technological performances of the corresponding PU coatings is presented, showing that the introduction of biobased monomers generally leads to softer materials but it doesn't affect significantly other physical properties like wettability, adhesion and hydrolytic stability. Afterwards, the total impact of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and the total non-renewable energy use (NREU) are evaluated by a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study, following a cradle-to-factory gate approach. The ecoprofile of bio-based polyester binder is compared with other two fossil-based conventional polyesters. The results suggest that the use of bio-based monomers allows a significant reduction of the total GHG emissions of around 75% less and a reduction of around 35% less of the total NREU.

Development of polyester binders for the production of sustainable polyurethane coatings: Technological characterization and life cycle assessment

Levi, Marinella;Turri, Stefano
2017-01-01

Abstract

Polyurethane (PU) coatings are used in many industrial applications, like in the furniture and automotive sectors. The main objective of the present work is the re-design of polyester binder for PU coatings using a selection of monomers derived from biorefinery. A preliminary comparative evaluation of technological performances of the corresponding PU coatings is presented, showing that the introduction of biobased monomers generally leads to softer materials but it doesn't affect significantly other physical properties like wettability, adhesion and hydrolytic stability. Afterwards, the total impact of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and the total non-renewable energy use (NREU) are evaluated by a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study, following a cradle-to-factory gate approach. The ecoprofile of bio-based polyester binder is compared with other two fossil-based conventional polyesters. The results suggest that the use of bio-based monomers allows a significant reduction of the total GHG emissions of around 75% less and a reduction of around 35% less of the total NREU.
2017
Bio-based monomers; Greenhouse gas emissions; Life cycle assessment; Non-renewable energy use; Polyester; Polyurethane coating; Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment; 2300; Strategy and Management1409 Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality Management; Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11311/1046819
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