System Development/Field Test/ Commercialization

Fully compostable packaging. This technology emulates the properties and functionality of conventional plastic such as polyethylene and polypropylene, while being made from a blend of fully compostable polymers. This packaging demonstrates excellent optical, mechanical, and barrier properties (high transparency, printability, high sealing strength, high impact, and high barrier). The packaging is certified home or industrial compostable. The laminates and labels of the packaging are also compostable.

Catalysts that use carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide to produce polymers. Carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide are ideal feedstocks for chemistry because they are abundant, renewable, and easily extracted at low costs. This technology polymerizes carbon dioxide and epoxides into polycarbonates that can be used as feedstocks to produce pharmaceuticals and plastics. Novomer Inc. uses polycarbonate coating in their electronics through a process called Novo™.

Non-phthalate plasticizer for flexible PVC. While flexible PVC is less dependent on raw fossil materials, significant ingredients in its production are plasticizers. Conventional plasticizers are made of phthalate esters, which carry health concerns. Prevalen™ is plasticizer made of pentaerythritol tetravalerate (PETV). This novel plasticizer has excellent processing properties, high plasticizing efficiency, exceptional UV resistance, low volatility and smoke. It is also produced using less finite raw materials than conventional plasticizers.

Polylactic acid (PLA) made from greenhouse gases. This process transforms greenhouse gases into PLA by using agricultural crops to sequester carbon and transform it to simple plant sugars through photosynthesis. The plants are milled to extract glucose as starch. Enzymes are then added to convert the glucose to dextrose via hydrolysis. Microorganisms then ferment the dextrose into lactic acid. Lactic acid is converted to lactide and lactide is polymerized into Ingeo™ PLA by opening the lactide ring and linking them together to form a long polylactide polymer chain.

Synthetic methodology for the development of 4-ADPA. 4-Aminodiphenylamine (4-ADPA) is a key building block for rubber preservatives. Many aromatic amines are made with halogenated reagents, especially those containing chlorine. The Eastman Chemical Company's previous production of 4-ADPA is based on the chlorination of benzene. This process produced aqueous waste with high levels of inorganic salts that are difficult and expensive to treat. This process also required the storage and handling of large quantities of chlorine gas, which is hazardous to human health.

General purpose non-orthophthalate plasticizer. Phthalate esters are used in conventional plasticizers and are hazardous to the environment and human health due to their toxicity and volatility. Eastman Chemical Company developed a non-orthophtalate plasticizer with equal or superior performance to convention orthophthalate plasticizers. Features of this plasticizer include good performance properties, excellent low-temperature flexibility, resistance to extraction by soapy water, and excellent non-migration properties.

Coverts abundant methane gas into biodegradable materials. Methane is the byproduct of several essential operations. Unfortunately, there are not many economically beneficial uses of methane. This company posits its factories next to existing methane production facilities. Using methanotrophs (a type of bacteria), the company naturally produces PHA; methanotrophs store carbon within their cell walls as PHA. More specifically, the methanotrophs produce pure P3HB, which is a member of the PHA family. The methanotrophs used in the process are also not genetically modified.

Packaging material made of renewable wood fibers. Paptic® is bio-based, recyclable, reusable, and biodegradable. It outperforms paper and has smaller environmental impact than cotton. The material is also distinctive in its texture and appearance. Paptic® is made using renewable, wood-based fibers from sustainably managed forests. Paptic® is produced using current paper machines that require slight modifications, making the process sustainable and scalable. Paptic is tear resistant, moisture resistant, flexible, soft, food contact approved, and porous.

Atom Transfer Radical Polymerizatoin (ATRP) for manufacturing polymers. ATRP is the most effecting method of controlled radical polymerization (CRP). The ATRP process allows for the easy formation of polymers by assembling monomors in a piece-by-piece fashion. This allows for the production of a wide range of polymers with specific functions and properties. The ATRP process uses enviromentally friends chemicals, such ascorbic acid, and requires less transition metal catalysts.

Two synthetic routes for the production of thermal polyaspartic acid. TPA is a non-toxic, biodegradable, and cost-effective polymer with applications in many industrial processes, such as agriculture, water treatment, detergent, and oil and gas industries. TPA functions as a more sustainable alternative to conventional polyacrylic acids (PAC). The first route for the synthesis of TPA consists of a solventless solid-state-polymerization-reaction that transforms the aspartic acid monomor into polysuccinimide, eliminating the use of organic solvents.