NEWARK, N.J.—According to chapter 1 of Contemporary Science of Polymeric Materials—Sugar-Based Chemicals for Environmentally Sustainable Applications—sugar-based chemicals can be used as building blocks to produce new monomers, polymers and additives for the commercial plastics and cosmetics industry. As generally recognized as safe (GRAS) materials, sugar compounds with a unique stereochemistry provide a ubiquitous platform for making cost-effective chemicals and polymers. The authors said, “Isosorbide and its isomers as sugar-derived dianhydrohexitols can be either incorporated the backbone of new polymers or converted to low-molar mass additives for thermoplastics and thermosets or as specialty chemicals. As the cost of petroleum rises, the attractiveness of renewable feedstocks for producing value-added products increases. The emergence of sustainable sugar-derived chemicals (especially isosorbide modified products) offers attractive prospects with high potential for the next generation chemical industry."
The polymer industry represents a large volume opportunity for isosorbide-based low molar mass designer compounds, monomers and high molar mass polymers. Various applications for isosorbide, including environmental-friendly epoxides, high-water uptake humectants, heat-resistant thermoplastics and multifunctional additives, demonstrate future opportunities for sugar-based chemistries. Their performance profile makes them slated for commercial success.
