Bio-based epoxy and unsaturated polyester resins: Research and market overview

The presented study provides an overview of the current research achievements and the emerging market of bio-based thermosetting polymers. Environmental attributes related to bio-based polymers trigger a steadily growing interest in this novel and promising field. Due to their importance among thermosets in terms of composite applications and quantity, this review focusses on epoxy and unsaturated polyester resins. Current studies are mainly concerned with alternative renewable raw materials to substitute fossil content and their synthesis to improve their end-properties. A common target is the increase of bio-based content within the cured resin. In spite of today’s efforts in research, the recent market review reveals only few commercially available bio-based thermosetting resin systems. However, they are commonly suited for a broad variety of processing methods and applications with bio-contents up to 75%.