Bio-based product 1,3-propylene glycol

1, 3-propylene glycol (PDO) has received widespread attention due to its important application in many downstream consumer markets and the resulting growth in market demand. In 2022, the market attention of PDO has increased, which is closely related to its application in areas such as PTT polyester. As a new type of polyester material, PTT polyester has been widely used in the fields of decorative materials, textile fibers, clothing, engineering plastics and films, and is known as a new type of polyester fiber in the 21st century because of its soft, elastic, dirt resistance and other characteristics. With the increase of commercial application of PTT, the global market size is expected to continue to grow, thus driving the demand for this key monomer PDO.In addition, PDO, as an important chemical, is also widely used in pharmaceutical, cosmetic and polymer industries. In these fields, PDO plays an irreplaceable role as a raw material or additive. As these industries continue to develop, the demand for Pdos also shows a steady growth trend.

In terms of production technology, the industrial production of PDO is mainly divided into two categories: chemical method and biological method. The chemical approach is represented by the process employed by Shell, while the biological approach focuses on the use of microorganisms or enzymes to achieve the synthesis of PDO. With the popularization of the concept of cleaner production, the development of PDO production technology with low energy consumption and low pollution has also become a research hotspot.

First, industry development history

1970s: : Shell developed a 1, 3-PDO process using acrolein as a feedstock

1990s: Degussa developed a 1, 3-PDO process using acrolein as a feedstock

A new type polyester material polypropylene terephthalate with 1,3-PDO as raw material has been successfully developed in industry

Ester, PTT for short. The United States rated PTT as six new petrochemical products

1995: Shell is the first to commercialize PTT under the trade name Colterra

1996: Shell develops 1,3-PDO based on ethylene oxide

1999: Shell expands production at its 1, 3-PDO plant in Louisiana to 72,000 tons

2000: Shell’s PTT production capacity is 100,000 tonnes

Dupont developed PTT and registered it under the trade name Sorona

2006: Production of 45,000 tons of DuPont Bioprocess 1, 3-PDO

2009: Shell Chemical Process 1, 3-PDO all shut down

2012: Shenghong 30,000 tons PTT plant put into operation

2013: Zhangjiagang Huamei 10,000 tons of biological method 1, 3-PDO put into production

2015:30,000 tons of Shenghong Biomethod 1, 3-PDO was put into production

2019: DuPont Bioprocess 1, 3-PDO expands production to 75,000 tons

2023: Huafeng acquires DuPont’s 1, 3-PDO and PPT businesses

2. Technical routes and devices
1, 3-PDO technical routes, there are many industrial verification of the route there are three categories, chemical synthesis method due to high cost, complex process and other problems, in fact, has been eliminated, currently in operation of all the devices for biological fermentation method:

Third, downstream applications and requirements

1, 3-PDO main applications, including polyurethane, unsaturated polyester resin, engine coolant, etc., polyurethane applications are mainly to replace BDO, the main biobased concept, in addition, can also be used in cosmetics, medicine and many industries:

First, PDO is widely used in the polyurethane industry

In the synthesis process of polyurethane, propylene glycol, as one of polyols, often reacts with isocyanates to form polyurethane by addition polymerization.

Specifically, propylene glycol reacts with isocyanates to form prepolymers, which can then be further cross-linked to form thermosetting polyurethanes or used directly as raw materials for thermoplastic polyurethanes. Because propylene glycol contains two hydroxyl groups (-OH) in its molecular structure, it can react with nitrogen carbon double bonds (NCO) in isocyanates to form a chain-like polyurethane structure.

The use of propylene glycol can provide polyurethane materials with better flexibility, low temperature resistance and water resistance, which are critical for many applications. For example, in the manufacture of polyurethane foams, propylene glycol can be used as part of the foaming agent to help the material form a stable foam structure while providing good thermal insulation properties. In coatings and adhesives, propylene glycol helps to improve their adhesion and chemical

resistance.

Second, PDO is also widely used in cosmetics, medicine and other industries

It has a wide range of applications in the cosmetics industry, mainly as a solvent, wetting agent and moisturizing agent. With the increasing concern of consumers on the safety and environmental protection of cosmetic ingredients, propylene glycol as a synthetic ingredient, its application in cosmetics is also limited to a certain extent, and it is increasingly replaced by natural ingredients. It has a variety of applications in the pharmaceutical industry, mainly due to its excellent physical and chemical properties, such as solubility, stability and biocompatibility.