Novomer to produce ‘green polymers’ by using chemical wastes

16 June 2010 15:41  [Source: ICIS news]

DUBAI (ICIS news)--Novomer plans to produce new catalyst systems that use carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2) as feedstocks and catalysts to produce high-performance, environmentally responsible polymers and chemical intermediates, a company official said at an industry conference on Wednesday.

“By using chemical wastes as feedstock and catalyst, we are producing a range of more cost-efficient products without compromising their qualities,” said Jim Mahoney, CEO and director of US-based sustainable materials company Novomer.

Mahoney was speaking to delegates at the first Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association’s (GPCA) plastics summit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The CO2-based polymers are expected to contain up to 50% of CO2 by mass, which is a very low-cost starting material, Mahoney said.

The pilot production line was already operational, he added.

“Material is only available through some exclusive windows, and it is expected to become available to a number of dedicated converters in 2012.

“Fully commercialised production in scale large enough to offer a competitive pricing will only happen in another three to five years,” he said.

The three-day GPCA conference ends on 16 June.
 
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By: Yu Guo
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