SOLACE: sustainable epoxy curatives from epoxidized soybean oil
Saber Chemical, Inc. introduces SOLACE, a sustainable epoxy curative derived from epoxidized soybean oil. It offers an eco-friendly alternative to petroleum-based polymercaptans, curing effectively at low temperatures, and is suitable for diverse epoxy applications.
Overview
SOLACE represents a significant advancement in sustainable materials by offering a bio-derived alternative to traditional petroleum-based epoxy curatives. Developed by Saber Chemical, Inc., this innovative solution leverages epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) to create multi-armed thiols that function as effective epoxy curatives. These curatives can operate at temperatures as low as -20°C, providing an environmentally friendly option for industries requiring low-temperature curing, such as asphalt applications.
Technical specifications
Key features:
- Bio-derived formulation: Utilizes epoxidized soybean oil to replace petroleum-based components.
- Low-temperature curing: Effective curing at temperatures as low as -20°C with the use of tertiary amine catalysts.
- Adjustable pot life: Pot life ranging from 5 minutes to 2 hours, tunable based on catalyst concentration.
- Efficient curing mechanism: Involves deprotonation of multi-armed thiols, resulting in rapid initiation of the curing process and efficient cross-linking.
Applications:
- Asphalt and construction industries requiring low-temperature curing solutions.
- Potential for broader applications in any epoxy-based system seeking sustainable alternatives.
Technology readiness level
SOLACE is currently at Technology Readiness Level 3. Saber Chemical, Inc. is conducting further validation to optimize the number of thiol groups on the soybean oil backbone, aiming to fine-tune modulus and curing kinetics. Future plans include developing a bio-based tertiary amine catalyst to achieve a fully bio-derived curing system. The ongoing research phase will include laboratory-scale synthesis and kinetic studies, with the aim of producing scaled quantities for further testing and application development.
About Saber Chemical, Inc.
Saber Chemical, Inc. specializes in the development and commercialization of compostable core-shell particles (CCSPs) designed to enhance the performance of bioplastics. By integrating these CCSPs into materials such as PLA, PHA, PBS, PBT, PBAT, TPS, and PCL, the company produces performance-grade pellets that offer increased toughness, often achieving greater than 200 J/m Izod impact strength, while maintaining ASTM D6400 compostability. This technology, which originated from NSF-funded research, utilizes glycerol-ketal acrylates to create nanoscale particles that improve material properties without sacrificing environmental sustainability. The company's innovations are designed to be compatible with standard industrial manufacturing processes, including twin-screw compounding, extrusion, and injection molding.
These solutions are targeted at converters and manufacturers in sectors such as packaging, consumer goods, agricultural films, and medical devices who require high-performance, sustainable material alternatives. By providing a scalable approach to material modification, Saber Chemical assists partners in developing durable, compostable products that meet demanding mechanical and thermal requirements. The company engages with customers through technical data support, sample requests, and collaborative research and development efforts, leveraging expertise in polymer chemistry and sustainable monomer synthesis to facilitate the adoption of its additives in commercial applications.
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