Oleochemicals for Polymer Applications

The use of oleochemicals in polymers has a long tradition. One can differentiate between the use as polymer materials, such as linseed oil and soybean oil as drying oils, polymer stabilizers and additives, such as epoxidized soybean oil as plasticizer, and building blocks for polymers, such as dicarboxylic acids for polyesters or polyamides (Table 4.2) [7]. Considering the total market for polymers of ca. 150 million tonnes in 1997 the share of oleochemical based products is relatively small - or, in other terms, the potential for these products is very high. Without doubt there is still a trend in the use of naturally derived materials for polymer applications, especially in niche markets. As an example, the demand for linseed oil for the production of linoleum has increased from 10000 tonnes in 1975 to 50 000 tonnes in 1998 (coming from 120000 tonnes in 1960 ) [8a]. Epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) as a plastic additive has a relatively stable market of ca. 100000 tonnes year-1 [8b]. 

Several years ago research was undertaken to use oleochemicals to build up matrices for natural fiber reinforced plastics [9]. The use of natural fibers, such as flax, hemp, sisal, and yucca is of increasing interest for various applications, among them the automotive and public transportation industries, where the com- 

Building blocks for polymers Dicarboxylic acids Ether-/ester polyols 

Oleochemical based dicarboxylic acids - azelaic, sebacic, and dimer acid (Figs. 4.5 and 4.6) - amount to ca. 100000 tonnes year-1 as components for polymers. This is about 0.5% of the total dicarboxylic acid market for this application, where phthalic and terephthalic acids represent 87%. The chemical nature of these oleochemical derived dicarboxylic acids can alter or modify condensation polymers, and, used as a co-monomer, will remain a special niche market area. Some of these special properties are elasticity, flexibility, high impact strength, hydrolytic 

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