Bio-based EVA Copolymer Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current polyolefin copolymers, such as ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), often rely on fossil-based sources, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and lack biobased carbon content certification, which is a concern for sustainability and environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
Developing a copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate where both monomers are partially derived from renewable sources, such as plant materials, and incorporating additional comonomers, with specific weight ratios and processing conditions to achieve desired physical properties and biobased carbon content, including the use of peroxide agents for curing and blowing agents for expansion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If fossil-based ethylene and vinyl acetate are used to produce EVA copolymers, then the material exhibits good processability and mechanical properties, but the biobased carbon content is zero and greenhouse gas emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the source parameter of the monomers from fossil-based to bio-based. Specifically, it uses bio-ethylene produced via fermentation of renewable resources (such as sugarcane, corn, or cellulose) followed by dehydration, and bio-vinyl acetate produced from bio-ethylene and acetic acid. This parameter change increases the biobased carbon content of the EVA copolymer while reducing dependence on fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replicates the conventional EVA production process using fossil-based monomers but substitutes the monomer sources with bio-based alternatives. The overall polymerization process, copolymer structure, and product properties are copied from conventional EVA, ensuring that the bio-based EVA maintains similar processability and mechanical properties while achieving sustainable carbon content certification.
2Ease of operation
If the vinyl acetate content in the copolymer is increased to improve flexibility and processability, then the copolymer becomes more processable, but the density and structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the vinyl acetate content parameter within specific ranges (5-95 wt%, with preferred ranges of 10-80 wt% or 15-70 wt%) to balance processability and structural integrity. By controlling this compositional parameter, the copolymer achieves adequate melt flow for processing while maintaining sufficient density and mechanical strength for practical applications.
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 resulting biobased EVA copolymers exhibit improved properties like density, hardness, abrasion resistance, and biobased carbon content, meeting ASTM standards and enabling the production of sustainable materials for various applications while reducing environmental footprint.
Implementation Method 1
at least a peroxide agent
Implementation Method 2
at least a blowing agent
Data Source
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Figure 2
AI summary
A copolymer may include ethylene and vinyl acetate, in which the ethylene is at least partially obtained from a renewable source of carbon. The copolymer may exhibit a Shore A hardness as determined by ASTM D2240 in the range of 60 to 100 Shore A. The copolymer may exhibit a biobased carbon content as determined by ASTM D6866-18 Method B of at least 5%.