Abstract
For bio-based polyurethane (PU) to replace its conventional petroleum-based counterpart, it must be cost-competitive while providing a positive environmental benefit. Techno-economic analysis (TEA) and life cycle assessment (LCA) provide tools to quantify the economic and environmental viability of bio-based PU and to identify key drivers. Here we describe TEA and LCA methodologies for assessing bio-based PU, including an example case study for producing a flexible PU foam. This process has the potential to be cost-competitive with traditional PU based on a published study using a linseed oil proxy feedstock. Bio-based PU also demonstrates environmental advantages in some categories considered but faces challenges in others compared to petroleum-based PU. Further TEA and LCA beyond the case study may enable assessment for alternative product and process variations that are possible for bio-based PU.
| Original language | American English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Rethinking Polyester Polyurethanes: Algae Based Renewable, Sustainable, Biodegradable and Recyclable Materials |
| Subtitle of host publication | Emerging Issues in Analytical Chemistry |
| Editors | R. S. Pomeroy |
| Publisher | Elsevier |
| Pages | 153-176 |
| Number of pages | 24 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9780323999823 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2023 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2023 Elsevier Inc. & NREL (operated by Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC,) under Contract No. DE-AC36-08GO28308 Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
NREL Publication Number
- NREL/CH-5100-82609
Keywords
- Bio-based polyurethane
- Bioproducts
- Life cycle assessment
- Polyurethane
- Process modeling
- Techno-economic analysis