New bio-based epoxy compounds for high performance applications (NordiCoats)

Epoxy resins are a group of chemicals with a broad use in building and coating applications. Although they already contribute to sustainability by protecting and expanding lifetime of offshore installations, ships, cars, aircraft, and household appliances, etc., they are almost exclusively derived from fossil resources and based on toxic compounds that can pose a threat to the environment and health. More sustainable and safer alternatives to conventional epoxy with similar performances as their original counterparts are therefore in high demand. The collaborative project NordiCoats addresses the need for a green transition in the chemicals and materials sector by developing more sustainable epoxy binders by a unique combination of biotechnology, nanotechnology, and chemical synthesis methods, leading to new safe and sustainable bio-based epoxy compounds and resins with unique properties, possible recyclability, and reduced energy consumption. The best new epoxy resins will be evaluated as binders in high-performance coatings for the maritime sector. NordiCoats is implemented by a consortium of four research partners in active collaboration with four industrial partners, who with their complementary competences and contributions to the project will pave the way for new, more sustainable epoxy products for a plethora of different applications and markets.

Epoxy resins represent a highly developed group of chemicals with a broad use in building and coating applications. Although they in high-performance coatings already contribute to sustainability, e.g., by protecting and expanding lifetime of offshore installations, ships, cars, aircraft, and household appliances, etc., they are almost exclusively derived from fossil resources and based on toxic compounds that can pose a threat to the environment and health. More sustainable and safer alternatives to conventional epoxy with similar performances as their original counterparts are therefore in high demand. The collaborative project NordiCoats addresses the need for a green transition in the chemicals and materials sector by assembling an innovative platform for the development of more sustainable epoxy binders by a highly interdisciplinary approach. Advanced biotechnology methods are applied to produce microbial oils and biopolymers from lignocellulosic sugars, and biorefinery by-products are sourced and upgraded to assemble a set of base compounds for subsequent upgrading. The base compounds are chemically and/or enzymatically activated and combined with advanced nanotechnology, in order to generate new bio-based epoxy compounds and resins with unique properties, possible recyclability, and reduced energy consumption. These new epoxies are then subjected to functional tests, accompanied by safety, environmental, and economic assessments, providing feedback for further material improvement in the project. Ultimately, the best new epoxy resins will be evaluated as binder additives or substitutes in high-performance coatings for the maritime sector. NordiCoats is implemented by a consortium of four research partners in active collaboration with four industrial partners, who with their complementary competences and contributions along the entire value chain will pave the way for new, more sustainable epoxy products for a plethora of different applications and markets.