US Researchers Develop Soya Polymer for Nappies

Researchers at Ohio-based Battelle Memorial Institute believe they’ve got to the bottom of the nappy market by developing soya-based polymers that can replace as much as one-third of the petroleum products currently used in those products.


Soya bean-based soy meal can replace 33% of acrylic-based super-absorbent polymers – also known as hydrogels – while keeping the same absorption rate of 200 to 300 times their own weight, officials with Battelle said.


The market for super-absorbent polymers (SAPs) is estimated at more than three billion pounds per year, with nappies and other personal care items making up well over half of demand. Battelle researchers now are looking to commercialise the soya-based polymers, which were developed with funding provided by the United Soybean Board and the Ohio Soybean Council.


Earlier this year, Battelle licensed technology to make soya bean-based polyols to agricultural firm Emery OleoChemicals of Cincinnati. Emery has begun sampling the products to customers for use in flexible and rigid foams and other markets, and hopes to have the polyols in commercial production by the end of the year.
By Frank Esposito