Synthesis of Biobased Polyurethane Foams From Agricultural and Forestry Wastes

Abstract

Polyurethanes (PUs) are widely used for many engineering applications due to their diversified properties caused by different components and additives. Polyurethane (PU) foams, as one of the most important PU materials, are widely used in automotive parts, bedding, cushion, flotation, insulation materials and packaging. However, the PU industry relies heavily on petroleum-derived chemicals because the PU synthesis involves two major component materials (i.e. polyols and isocyanates) currently both derived from non-renewable petroleum resources. Today, the growing bioeconomy has intensified the interest of the PU industry in the development of biobased PU (BPU) foams using biopolyols (also known as bio-oils) derived from agricultural and forestry residues. This chapter aims to summarize the recent conversion technologies of forestry and agricultural residues into biopolyols, and the methods for the preparation of BPU foams by using biopolyols derived from the bio-resources.