A research team at Washington State University has developed a method to create bio-foam from pine trees, which could replace petroleum-based chemicals in polyurethane foams. The global market for polyurethane totals over $75 billion. The bio-based foam is stronger and more flexible than traditional polyurethane foam, and it’s friendlier to the environment. The research team used a mild, environmentally friendly solvent to extract high-quality lignin from pine, which is a key component in wood. Lignin is the second most abundant renewable carbon source, but it’s notoriously difficult to extract. The team’s innovative extraction process produces a high-quality lignin that can be used to produce high-value products. The bio-based foam is a promising alternative to petroleum-based plastics, which are costly to recycle and often end up in landfills and oceans. The research was published in the journal ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering. The ultimate goal is to replace petroleum-based plastics with naturally derived materials, such as lignin, to create a more sustainable future.
Transforming pine trees into sustainable biodegradable foam
