During the next 2 years, CETIM will collaborate with Cromogenia investigating the obtaining of new biopolyols within the framework of the POLIAC project

 The project is funded by the Center for Technological and Industrial Development (CDTI) within the call for Research and Development Projects (RDP)

 The Basque technology center Tecnalia also collaborates in POLIAC

Today, the interest in caring for the environment is growing, promoting initiatives such as reducing the use of petroleum derivatives and the use of renewable sources as less polluting alternatives. In this sense, Cromogenia is an industry that develops and manufactures a wide variety of high-quality chemical products, which help improve profitability, while respecting the environment.

Currently, the company already uses different oils as alternatives to petroleum derivatives. With the aim of deepening these developments, POLIAC was born. The project will develop innovative, renewable and sustainable alternatives, which also allow reducing costs, thanks to cheaper raw materials, with greater availability and with less price fluctuation.

During the 2 years of the project, CETIM will investigate with Cromogenia the obtaining of polyols that, coming from different types of oils, can be used successfully in the formulation of polyurethanes used in chemical applications of specialties of high value and requirements. The general objectives of this project, therefore, are focused on obtaining sustainable biopolyols on a laboratory scale in order to subsequently scale up the most promising ones at an industrial pilot level.

At POLIAC, CETIM we are in charge of obtaining new biopolyols from natural sources. The main scientific challenge of the project will be to limit the presence of toxic compounds by transforming the appropriate triglyceride chains to subsequently ensure proper polymerization.

Thus, the POLIAC project hopes to obtain new chemical specialties using polyols derived from vegetable oils, following the principles established in the circular economy and green chemistry.