Bio-Based 3-MPA/DMPA Epoxy Resin for Scalable Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing epoxy resin formulations rely heavily on fossil-based aromatic anhydrides, lacking sustainable alternatives that can be produced efficiently at scale and maintain performance comparable to their fossil-based counterparts, while also avoiding unwanted by-products.

Innovation Solution

An epoxy resin composition incorporating bio-based 3-MPA and/or DMPA with a functional group ratio of A:B ranging from 1:0.05 to 1:10, along with a process that includes curing and optional co-polymers and catalysts, to enhance properties such as thermal stability, mechanical strength, and dielectric performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If fossil-based aromatic anhydrides are used in epoxy resin formulations, then manufacturing performance and consistency are maintained, but sustainability and environmental impact deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing performanceVSAvoidenvironmental impact
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by incorporating bio-based aromatic anhydrides (3-MPA and/or DMPA) at specific ratios (5-50 wt%) to replace fossil-based anhydrides, thereby improving sustainability while maintaining manufacturing performance through controlled composition parameters

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite epoxy resin formulation combining bio-based aromatic anhydrides with conventional epoxy binders and curing agents, achieving both sustainability benefits and reliable manufacturing performance through the synergistic combination of different material components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If bio-based aromatic anhydrides are used as sustainable alternatives, then environmental sustainability is improved, but manufacturing scalability and production efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental sustainabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing scalability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the concentration parameters of bio-based anhydrides (5-50 wt%) to achieve a balance between sustainability benefits and manufacturing scalability, ensuring that the formulation can be produced efficiently at scale while maintaining environmental advantages

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent develops a multi-functional epoxy resin formulation that can serve both sustainable development goals and industrial manufacturing requirements, making the bio-based anhydride system universally applicable across different applications and scalable to production levels

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If higher amounts of bio-based aromatic anhydrides are incorporated, then sustainability and certain mechanical properties are improved, but viscosity and processing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesustainabilityVSAvoidprocessing ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent carefully controls the composition parameters of bio-based anhydrides (5-50 wt%) and adjusts related formulation parameters to manage viscosity changes, ensuring that sustainability benefits are achieved while maintaining acceptable processing ease and applicability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The bio-based epoxy resin formulation achieves improved thermal properties, mechanical strength, and dielectric performance, while reducing viscosity and environmental impact, with enhanced cross-linking and reduced production costs.

Implementation Method 1

an epoxy resin composition comprising (A) an epoxy functional binder resin forming poly-epoxide, (B) bio-based 3-MPA and/or DMPA

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical Bonding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

along with a curing agent like amines or anhydrides and optionally a co-polymer and/or a catalyst

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Data Source

PatentEP4636006A1Epoxy resin formulation comprising bio-based aromatics
Publication Date: 2025.10.22 RELEMENT BV
  • EP4636006A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4636006A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4636006A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a resin composition comprising (A) a bio-based 3-MPA and/or DMPA and (B) an epoxy functional binder resin wherein the functional group ratio of A : B is in the range of from 1 : 0.05 to 1 : 10. It further relates to the process for the preparation of a resin composition, wherein at least a bio-based 3-MPA and/or DMPA is added it to an epoxy functional binder, wherein the functional group of A : B is in the range of from 1 : 0.05 to 1 : 10, and wherein the bio-based 3-MPA and/or DMPA is added to the epoxy functional binder, followed by curing. The invention also relates to the use of bio-based 3-MPA and/or DMPA as a curing agent in an epoxy resin composition.