Seeking new biodegradable building blocks and technologies for green polymers

  • Anonymous Organization
  • From Germany
  • Responsive
  • Project Size Range : Strategic project backed by large scale funding €
  • Deadline completed
    The submission process for new proposals is closed. Proposals submitted before the deadline will follow the standard evaluation process.

Desired outcome

In Personal Care products, synthetic polymers (e.g. Polyacrylates) are mostly - but not exclusively - used as thickening agents. Already small quantities (< 1%) enable the formation of a gel network, which is most desired for the product handling and appearance, as well as the sensorial properties. Since most synthetic polymers are not biodegradable, they may fall under the scope of being a microplastic and could therefore be imposed to labeling in nearby future.

This threat is most unwanted by personal care companies and their suppliers, which in turn results in a growing interest for green alternatives. Currently used biopolymers (e.g. Xanthan Gum, Cellulose, etc.) do not show the same performance as their synthetic acrylate-based counterparts. Same is valid for green polymers, which are based on biorenewable monomers (e.g. glycerol, sebacic acids, etc.). At the moment, the skin feel and the viscosity building properties of these bio- and green polymers do not meet the requirements of the broad market, and remain thus rather a niche product.

Despite the huge interest of the industry in green alternatives, successful candidates are a rarity, due to numerous technical and commercial hurdles. It is therefore most important to find partnerships with universities, start-ups, or well-established companies, which may lead to the development of new biorenewable building blocks and technologies.

Organization from Germany

Requirements

To succeed in the development of biorenewable polymers, the company would like the scout to search for the following technologies:

  • Biorenewable building blocks. Yet unknown or new to the Personal Care market.
  • Biopolymers, with the potential of being used in Personal Care
  • New technologies to obtain (e.g. extractions, biosynthesis, etc.) biopolymers
  • New technologies to obtain (e.g. extractions, green synthesis, etc.) biorenewable building blocks. Also relevant for building blocks, which are known to the Personal Care market, if production process is of greater interest (better turnover & price, less waste, etc.)

All materials shall be derived from non-animal sources, e.g. terrestial and maritime plants, fungi, etc.

Discarted solutions

  • There is no interests in building blocks, which are widely known within the Personal Care market, such as succinic acid, fumaric acid, malic acid, 3-hydroxy propionic acid, aspartic acid, glucaric acid, glutamic acid, itaconic acid, levulinic acid, glycerol, sorbitol, xylitol/arabinitol. Exempt are technological innovations, which enable a more interesting production process of these or other well known green building blocks (better turnover & price, sustainability, etc.).

Possible solution areas

  • The technology of biorenewable polymers can be applied within the Personal Care market in following applications: - Shampoos and shower gels – thickening agent, suspension aid - Skin and Body Care – thickening agent, suspension aid, emulsion stabilizer

Related Keywords

  • Industrial manufacturing, Material and Transport Technologies
  • Materials Technology
  • Physical Sciences and Exact Sciences
  • Chemistry
  • Biological Sciences
  • Agriculture and Marine Resources
  • Protecting Man and Environment
  • Clean Production / Green Technologies
  • Consumer related
  • Consumer Products
  • Health and beautty aids, Cosmetics
  • Polymer (plastics) materials
  • personal care

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