Bio-Based Alternative to Bisphenol-A, Diols and Epoxy Resins from 5-Hydroxymethyl Furfural and Diformyl Furan (RFT-583/584)

Invention Summary

Scientists at NDSU have developed bio-based diols that are produced from compounds that can be extracted from cellulosic biomass. These diols may be used to produce epoxy resins without using bisphenol-A, as well as polyesters and polyurethanes. The epoxy resins can be used to produce a range of coatings, composites, and adhesives, including food and beverage container coatings. The compounds that are used to produce these diols are 5-hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF), diformyl furan (DFF), or derivatives of these compounds. The figure shows examples of the paths that can be utilized, but they are only a small sampling of the range of possibilities.

Benefits

A wide range of diol monomers can be produced from bio-based raw materials
These diols have potential to replace petroleum-based diols in several polymers, including polyesters and polyurethanes
Bio-based (and potentially GRAS) alternatives to bisphenol-A could be developed, e.g. for coating of food and beverage containers

Patents

This technology is subject of issued US Patent 11,691,956, pending European Patent 3997077A1 and is available for licensing/partnering opportunities.

Contact

NDSU Research Foundation
info(at)ndsurf(dot)org
(701)231-8173

NDSURF Tech Key

RFT, 583, RFT583, 584, RFT584, 583/584

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