EPICEROL® - a Biodiesel by-product as a raw material for polyester resins
The EPICEROL® technology produces epichlorohydrin, a raw material for polyester resins, from glycerol, a by-product from biodiesel production using rapeseed. The technology improves the overall lifecycle balances both of polyester resins and of biodiesel.
More efficient than the technology previously used to produce epichlorohydrin, the new process reduces chlorinated residues eightfold and water consumption tenfold. Solvay has applied for 38 patents for the new Epicerol technology.
The main uses of epichlorohydrin includes the production of epoxy resins used in cars, boats and planes, wind power plants, water purification products, and paper strengthening.
The process is based on the transformation of glycerine, which is a by-product of the biodiesel industry, and paves the way for future developments. In response to rapidly growing demand for epichlorohydrin, in particular in Asia, Solvay is building a new 100 kt/year unit in Thailand, and a further one in China has been recently announced.
- 20% less CO2 emission
- 90% less water consumption
- 50% less non renewable energy consumption
For more information please go to our Epichlorohydrin page.
