High-yield, highly reactive polyols for polyurethane production
New method to create higher polyols yields Eliminates toxic solvent use Reduces operational costs and process integration Enables improved physical properties (e.g., increased functionality, higher reactivity, low viscosity)
Highlights
- New method to create higher polyols yields
- Eliminates toxic solvent use
- Reduces operational costs and process integration
- Enables improved physical properties (e.g., increased functionality, higher reactivity, low viscosity)
Opportunity
Polyols are key to today’s polyurethane applications (e.g., furniture, bedding, car seats and insulation applications, and coatings, adhesives, sealants). Recent environmental trends have driven increased production of bio-based polyols derived from renewable sources—however this process requires highly concentrated, toxic acid solvents. This new method creates higher polyol yields that are more reactive in polyurethane production processes. This method eliminates toxic solvent use and promotes the reuse of environmentally friendly alternative chemicals, thereby reducing operational costs and process integration. The result is a cheaper, uncomplicated, and industrially feasible chemical technique to produce both petroleum-based and bio-based polyols in an environmentally friendly manner.
Competitive advantage
- Less expensive, comparable production times
- Safer to use, environmentally friendly
- More reactive in polyurethane manufacture
Status
- Patent issued United States - US15/736,999
About University of Alberta
The University of Alberta is a large, comprehensive public research university in Edmonton with multiple campuses and a strong applied research culture. Industry engages through co-located labs and pilot-scale facilities, as well as established co-op and internship programs that place talent with partners year-round. Integration with Alberta’s province-wide hospital system supports clinical research and accelerates translation. Companies also benefit from proximity to regional industry clusters and collaboration hubs on and near campus for joint R&D and prototyping. Supported by NSERC, CIHR, SSHRC, and Canada Foundation for Innovation funding—plus provincial and industry support—the tech transfer office manages IP, licensing, and startup formation with streamlined sponsored-research agreements.
delivered to your inbox.