Polyethylene Terephthalate

In recent years, the consumer market and production capacity of the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) have shown strong growth, stimulating the interest and investment in the research and development of bio-based polyethylene terephthalate technology. Bio-based polyethylene terephthalate is a biomass-derived fully recyclable, biodegradable, compostable, and renewable bioplastic material. The material is composed of plant-derived ethanol glycol (EG) and fossil-derived terephthalic acid (TPA).

Synthesis of Bio-based Polyethylene Terephthalate

The synthesis of bio-based polyethylene terephthalate is based on ethanol from sugarcane or corn starch, which is converted to ethylene glycol and further combined with fossil-based terephthalic acid by conventionally applied transesterification to yield partially bio-based polyethylene terephthalate.

• Synthesis of monomer bio-based ethanol glycol

The aliphatic monomer bio-ethylene glycol can be synthetized from the hydrolysis of ethylene oxide, obtained via the oxidization of bio-ethylene obtained from the fermentation of glucose, followed by dehydration. Production route for bio-based ethylene glycol is showed in figure 1 ^[1].

Fig. 1 General scheme for bio-ethylene glycol (bio-EG) monomer production

• Synthesis of bio-based terephthalic acid

Bio-based terephthalic acid is being developed to further improve the sustainability of polyethylene terephthalate, as bio-terephthalic acid is produced from naturally derived sustainable biomass feedstock. To date, there have been several kinds of proposed methods to achieve bio-based terephthalic acid, as shown in figure 2. The biosynthesis methods of terephthalic acid include the iso-butanol method, the muconic acid method, the isoprene method, the sorbic acid, the dimethyl furfural method, the furfural method, the 5-hydroxymethyl furfural method, and the limonene method.

Fig. 2 Schematic representation of the methods used to achieve bio-based terephthalic acid

Properties and Applications

Bio-based polyethylene terephthalate is as durable, unbreakable and transparent as petrochemical polyethylene terephthalate. It can be processed and recycled in the same way as standard fossil polyethylene terephthalate. It can be processed by injection molding, blow molding and extrusion. In addition, bioplastics have a longer shelf life, better permeability (important for the packaging of vegetables and fruits), and better recyclability and processability than fossil-based polymers. As a result of these benefits, demand for bio-based polymer in the Bio-based polyethylene terephthalate market is experiencing significant increase.

The bio-based polyethylene terephthalate market is segmented on the basis of application and end use industry, as shown below.

Our Bio-based Polyethylene Terephthalate

Alfa Chemistry provides a range of polyethylene terephthalates which are based on renewable raw materials.

Alfa Chemistry is a professional supplier of bio-based polyethylene terephthalate (bio-based PET). For high quality products, professional technical service, use suggestion and latest industry news, please feel free to contact us.

References

1. Siracusa, V., & Blanco, I. Bio-Polyethylene (Bio-PE), Bio-based polypropylene (Bio-PP) and Bio-Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (Bio-PET): Recent Developments in Bio-Based Polymers Analogous to Petroleum-Derived Ones for Packaging and Engineering Applications. Polymers, 2020, 12(8), 1641.
2. Bio based Polyethylene Terephthalate Market: Global Industry Trend Analysis 2012 to 2017 and Forecast 2017-2025.

Our products and services are for research use only.