Croda International Plc, along with the Universities of Nottingham and York, has announced a collaborative effort aimed at developing innovative, sustainable polymers for liquid formulations.
Croda, known for its use of smart science to create high-performance ingredients and solutions that enhance lives, is teaming up with the Universities of Nottingham and York to tackle the challenge of creating novel biobased and biodegradable polymers for liquid formulations. This partnership, funded through an ESPRC Prosperity Partnership, merges industry and academic expertise to conduct new research, blending it with Croda’s unparalleled knowledge of product performance and market needs.
These special polymers for liquids are used in various everyday products, such as crop protection and personal care items, providing crucial functions like emulsification and stabilization. Without them, these widely used items would fail to meet consumer demands. Despite their critical role, there hasn’t been a concerted effort to develop more sustainable alternatives. It’s estimated that over 36 million tonnes of these polymers are not recovered after use, contributing to plastic waste in the environment.
Dr. Ian Tooley, Vice President of Chemistry at Croda, expressed the company’s commitment to finding sustainable solutions for these polymers, highlighting their ambition to be the most sustainable supplier of innovative ingredients. The collaboration with the universities aims to bring sustainable, biobased, and biodegradable alternatives to the market.
Steve Howdle, Professor and Head of the School of Chemistry at the University of Nottingham, stated their excitement about contributing to addressing this crucial societal issue. He emphasized that working with industrial and academic partners would result in new sustainable polymeric materials that will impact supermarket shelves.
Professor Helen Sneddon, Director of the Green Chemistry Centre of Excellence at the University of York, sees this collaboration as an opportunity to further explore the potential of bioderived, biodegradable soluble polymers. They aim to understand the unique properties these polymers offer compared to petrochemically-derived ingredients, making an impact in a significant yet often overlooked area.
