Bayer MaterialScience has launched IMPRANIL eco, a series of bio-based waterborne polyurethane dispersions with renewable content that reaches as high as 65%. IMPRANIL eco has been developed to address the textile needs of the sportswear/footwear, automotive and fashion industries.

IMPRANIL eco enables manufacturers to produce synthetic materials and coated fabrics with a high content of renewable materials in every layer, with performance that matches the high level of conventional products, and the bio-based raw materials can be used without reformulation.

BioAmber has been working for over five years on the use of bio-succinic acid in polyurethanes. Bio-succinic acid brings differentiated performance when formulated by leading companies such as Bayer MaterialScience, and can substitute adipic acid to bring unique properties in applications such as synthetic leather, wood and metal coatings, elastomers and foams.

Current adipic acid use in polyurethanes is 25% of the 3 million ton global market, representing 750,000 tons of annual consumption. This market for bio-succinic acid is poised for rapid growth as manufacturers seek to increase the renewable content in their products by using more bio-based polyurethanes.

Penetration of the polyurethanes market is part of BioAmber’s broader strategy to accelerate the adoption of green chemistry in existing petrochemical supply chains. In 2014 BioAmber was selected as one of the top-ten green chemistry innovators by LAUNCH, an organization established by NASA, NIKE, the US Department of State and the US Agency for International Development.

LAUNCH was created to identify and foster breakthrough solutions to create a more sustainable world, and aims to move beyond incremental change and make impact at a system wide level. The founding organizations including NIKE, together with leading companies such as Walmart, IKEA and Bayer MaterialScience, are helping to advance green chemistry by generating demand for more sustainable products.