Petrochemicals – News and Features

A team at UNC-Chapel Hill has developed a two-step chemical process to break down synthetic rubber under environmentally friendly conditions. The method transforms used rubber into nitrogen-rich materials, which can be used to create epoxy resins.

The production of traditional fertilizers relies heavily on non-renewable energy sources such as natural gas, oil, and coal, representing significant energy consumption and CO2 emissions.

Researchers have developed microbial strains that can produce various eco-friendly bio-based polyester plastics. These bio-plastics are strong and durable enough to replace conventional plastics.

Researchers have developed a chemical process that transforms used rubber into valuable precursors for epoxy resins, offering a cost-effective and eco-friendly solution to tire waste.

Researchers from Osaka Metropolitan University have discovered the ideal genetic “recipe” to turn yeast into a tiny yet powerful eco-friendly factory that converts methanol into D-lactic acid.

Nanocellulose dyed with red onion skin extract can protect solar cells from up to 99.9% of UV radiation up to 400 nanometers. This bio-based UV filter also outperformed a commercial market standard plastic-based filter.

A study on velvet worm slime reveals its ability to transform from liquid to fibre and back, thanks to unique proteins. This discovery could lead to recyclable bioplastics and novel sustainable material designs.

Stretching spider silk aligns its proteins and strengthens fibers, a new study suggests. This could improve engineered silk for biodegradable sutures, body armor and high-performance materials, and offer a sustainable alternative to synthetic fibers.

Researchers at UT Austin have developed a system using molecularly functionalized biomass hydrogels that convert discarded natural materials into sorbents, enabling water extraction from air even in dry conditions.

Stanford researchers developed a scalable method to permanently remove CO2 from the atmosphere using heat-activated minerals. Their kiln-based process transforms silicates into materials that spontaneously trap carbon.