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

Epoksyharpikser brukes i beskyttende belegg og lim for blant annet skip, biler, bygninger og mange andre produkter. I dag er de fleste epoksyharpikser basert på fossile råstoffer og inneholder ofte bisfenol A (BPA), et stoff som kan være skadelig for både mennesker og miljø. NordiCoats-prosjektet skal erstatte slike fossile materialer med tryggere og mer bærekraftige alternativer laget av biologiske og fornybare kilder. I 2025 har prosjektet oppnådd viktige fremskritt i utviklingen av nye biobaserte epoksyforbindelser, blant annet ved bruk av oljer og polymerer produsert av mikroorganismer, samt lignin fra trevirke. Disse biobaserte materialene har vist lovende resultater i tester for bruk i marine og industrielle belegg. Forskerne har også utviklet mer miljøvennlige produksjonsmetoder og gjennomført vurderinger for å sikre at de nye materialene er trygge og bærekraftige gjennom hele livssyklusen. Gjennom å kombinere bioteknologi, grønn kjemi og materialvitenskap bidrar NordiCoats til å redusere den kjemiske industriens avhengighet av fossile råstoffer. Prosjektet fremmer nye løsninger for høytytende belegg som støtter overgangen til en mer bærekraftig og sirkulær økonomi.

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.