Belgium chemical company developing bio-resin from sugarcane as an eco-friendly replacement for oil-based plastics, including thermoplastics, says next step is to identify the right sectors to target

Graziela Medina Shepnick

LOS ANGELES , July 19, 2012 (Industry Intelligence Inc.) –

Belgium-based TransFurans Chemicals BVBA is developing new resins made from sugarcane to replace oil-based plastics and sees its next step as identifying the right sectors for which to target its bio-resins, reported euronews on July 19.

Products using the bio-resins have already been created that are ready for market, after input and testing from universities. The challenge has been to “bring more added value to the market,” said Wim Van Rhijn, general manager at TransFurans Chemicals.

The bio-resin, which is based on the fibrous remains from sugarcane, is meant to be a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly replacement for oil-based plastics, euronews reported.

In the Dominican Republic, the company started by obtaining the bagasse after the sugar is extracted from sugarcane.

The woody material is cooked at a high temperature to get a pure chemical called furfuryl, said Han Hoydonckx, business development manager at TransFurans Chemicals, which has a factory in Geel, Antwerp, Belgium, reported euronews.

The full polymer form of furfuryl alcohol is impregnated with various substrates to make the new products, he said. The products include decorative high-pressure laminates, components for the auto industry, and standard thermoplastics like polyethylene, said Hoydonckx.

Several research projects by the European Union helped develop the bio-resin technology, euronews reported.

TransFurans Chemicals, a pioneer in furan chemicals, has been a world leader in producing furfuryl alcohol for 35 years, according to the company’s website.

The primary source of this article is euronews, Ecully Cedex, France, on July 19, 2012.

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