Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 4.17
Schematic diagram of poly(lactic acid) manufacture from
l-lactic acid.
Reproduced with permission from (Gupta et al. 2007).
A copolymer of P3HB with valeric acid, P(3HB-
co
-3HV), with the structures
shown above, can also be bacterially produced and available commercially.
In the United States, PHB is manufactured by Telles (ADM/Metabolix) and
Meridian Inc. PHBV is manufactured by Metabolix Inc.
4.6.2.5 Bio-Based Thermosets: PU
PUs are condensation polymers of a bifunctional or multifunctional triol
(polyetherol) with a polyisocyanate. Research efforts at replacing the
synthetic polyol with one derived from castor oil are in progress (Lin et
al., 2013; Zhang et al., 2014). Commercial polyols partially based on castor
