Renewable FDCA Polyester Adhesive for Food Packaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for adhesives made from renewable raw materials that possess properties comparable to those of conventional petroleum-based adhesives, particularly for use in the food industry and food packaging, where sustainability in both product and production processes is crucial, and existing solutions do not adequately address the use of sustainable auxiliaries like adhesives.

Innovation Solution

An adhesive comprising a polyester polyol based on furandicarboxylic acid obtained from renewable sources, combined with a compound containing NCO groups, such as polyisocyanates, which is suitable for bonding plastics and metal substrates, and can be formulated to have properties similar to conventional adhesives while being environmentally friendly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If adhesives are made from renewable raw materials, then environmental sustainability is improved, but the availability of suitable chemical compounds is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental sustainabilityVSAvoidavailability of chemical compounds
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters by using furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) derived from renewable biomass instead of conventional petroleum-based dicarboxylic acids. This parameter substitution enables the creation of polyester polyols with sustainable origin while maintaining the necessary chemical functionality for adhesive applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite adhesive system combining polyester polyol derived from renewable FDCA with polyisocyanate compounds. This composite approach allows leveraging the sustainability of bio-based polyol while incorporating the proven performance characteristics of isocyanate crosslinking systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If adhesives are made from renewable raw materials, then environmental sustainability is improved, but the physical properties may differ from conventional products

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental sustainabilityVSAvoidphysical properties
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent systematically adjusts key parameters including the NCO:OH ratio (1.05:1 to 2.0:1), viscosity control through polyol selection, and curing conditions to ensure the bio-based adhesive achieves physical properties comparable to conventional petroleum-based adhesives while maintaining food safety standards.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention optimizes specific local properties of the adhesive formulation, such as controlling cyclic ester content through selective polyol synthesis and adjusting the molecular weight distribution of the polyester polyol to achieve desired rheological and bonding characteristics for specific applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Object-affected harmful factors

If furandicarboxylic acid is used from renewable raw materials, then sustainability is improved, but cyclic ester content may increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesustainabilityVSAvoidcyclic ester content
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes or minimizes harmful cyclic ester byproducts through controlled synthesis conditions and selective purification steps during polyester polyol production, ensuring the final adhesive meets food safety requirements while maintaining high sustainability credentials from renewable FDCA.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the potential disadvantage of cyclic ester formation into a benefit by using controlled synthesis conditions that produce cyclic esters as manageable byproducts with defined characteristics, which can be monitored and controlled within safe limits while maintaining the overall sustainability advantage of bio-based FDCA.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Adaptability or versatility

If adhesive formulation is optimized for food safety, then applicability in food industry is improved, but the range of available compounds is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplicability in food industryVSAvoidrange of available compounds
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal adhesive platform based on polyester polyol from renewable FDCA that can be adapted to multiple food industry applications including packaging, labeling, and sealing. The formulation achieves multi-functionality by meeting food safety standards while providing adequate bonding performance for various substrates.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The invention adjusts formulation parameters such as NCO content, viscosity, and curing characteristics to optimize performance for specific food industry applications while maintaining compliance with food safety regulations, enabling the same base chemistry to serve multiple purposes.

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 adhesive achieves comparable mechanical and physical properties to conventional adhesives, with a reduced cyclic ester content and lower viscosity, making it suitable for food packaging and film substrates, and allows for reduced adhesive usage without compromising bonding effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

an adhesive which contains, as components, a polyester polyol based on furandicarboxylic acid and at least one compound containing NCO groups

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPolymerization reaction: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS12012531B2Polyester polyol-based adhesives on the basis of furandicarboxylic acid obtained from renewable raw materials
Publication Date: 2024.06.18 HENKEL KGAA

AI summary

The present invention relates to adhesives which contain a polyester polyol on the basis of furandicarboxylic acid obtained from renewable raw materials, and to a method for bonding substrates, in particular film-like substrates, using said adhesive.