Petrochemicals – News and Features

News
Chemists Create Recyclable Alternative to Durable Plastics
Researchers have developed a bio-based alternative to thermoset plastics that is both tough and fully recyclable. Using dihydrofuran (DHF) as a monomer, the material can be chemically recycled and naturally degraded.

News
Turning Pine Into Flexible, Eco-Friendly Polyurethane Foams
Researchers developed flexible, bio-based polyurethane foam using lignin extracted from pine. This eco-friendly alternative replaces 20% of petroleum-based chemicals and matches conventional foam in strength and flexibility.

News
Reusable Polymer Adhesive Outperforms Common Superglue
Colorado State University scientists have created a biodegradable and reusable adhesive polymer from P3HB, a natural biopolymer. The re-engineered material outperforms traditional petroleum-based adhesives like Gorilla Glue.

News
Sustainable Aviation Fuel Additives Made From Recycled Polystyrene
Scientists at the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center developed a method to produce ethylbenzene, a crucial aromatic hydrocarbon for jet fuels, from polystyrene waste. The process yields a cost-effective, 90% pure ethylbenzene additive.

News
Carbon-Storing Buildings Have Potential To Lock Away Billions of Tons of Carbon Dioxide
A UC Davis and Stanford University study reveals that construction materials, such as concrete, plastics, and bricks, could store billions of tons of carbon dioxide. Approaches include biochar-infused concrete and bio-based plastics.

News
New Catalyst Turns Methane Into Useful Polymers
MIT researchers developed a hybrid catalyst that converts methane to polymers at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. Combining zeolites and enzymes, the catalyst efficiently produces urea-formaldehyde while reducing methane emissions.

News
Highlights From My Green Lab’s 2024 Carbon Review of Biotech and Pharma
Technology Networks breaks down the key insights from My Green Lab's 2024 Carbon Impact of Biotech & Pharma Report.

News
Improved Zeolite Catalyst Turns Harmful Greenhouse Gases Into Clean Fuel
An improved zeolite catalyst can covert methane and carbon dioxide into syngas, a valuable clean fuel used by oil and chemical companies worldwide.

News
Inexpensive Catalyst Recycles Methane Emissions at Room Temperature
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory developed a room-temperature catalyst for converting methane into ethane, a useful chemical. The system offers an efficient, low-cost alternative to traditional catalysts.

News
Novel Electro-Biodiesel Cuts Down on Carbon Emissions and Land Use
Researchers have used electrocatalysis of carbon dioxide to form biodiesel feedstock.
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