Bio-Based Polyurethane Foams: Feedstocks, Synthesis, and Applications

Polyurethanes (PUs) are extremely versatile materials used across different industries. Traditionally, they are synthesized by reacting polyols and isocyanates, both of which are petroleum-derived reagents. In response to the demand for more eco-friendly materials, research has increasingly focused...

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Main Authors: Marta Santos, Marcos Mariz, Igor Tiago, Susana Alarico, Paula Ferreira
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Biomolecules
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/15/5/680
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author Marta Santos
Marcos Mariz
Igor Tiago
Susana Alarico
Paula Ferreira
author_facet Marta Santos
Marcos Mariz
Igor Tiago
Susana Alarico
Paula Ferreira
author_sort Marta Santos
collection DOAJ
description Polyurethanes (PUs) are extremely versatile materials used across different industries. Traditionally, they are synthesized by reacting polyols and isocyanates, both of which are petroleum-derived reagents. In response to the demand for more eco-friendly materials, research has increasingly focused on developing new routes for PU synthesis using renewable feedstocks. While substituting isocyanates remains a greater challenge, replacing fossil-based polyols with bio-based alternatives is now a promising strategy. This review explores the main natural sources and their transformations into bio-polyols, the incorporation of bio-fillers into PU formulations, and the production of non-isocyanate polyurethanes (NIPUs). Additionally, the study summarizes the growing body of research that has reported successful outcomes using bio-polyols in PU foams for distinct applications.
format Article
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publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher MDPI AG
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series Biomolecules
spelling doaj-art-e90af0f17bdf428db5d69a8ced9f87c82025-08-20T01:56:14ZengMDPI AGBiomolecules2218-273X2025-05-0115568010.3390/biom15050680Bio-Based Polyurethane Foams: Feedstocks, Synthesis, and ApplicationsMarta Santos0Marcos Mariz1Igor Tiago2Susana Alarico3Paula Ferreira4CERES, Chemical Engineering and Renewable Resources for Sustainability, University of Coimbra, 3030-790 Coimbra, PortugalCERES, Chemical Engineering and Renewable Resources for Sustainability, University of Coimbra, 3030-790 Coimbra, PortugalCFE, Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000-456 Coimbra, PortugalCNC-UC, Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology and CIBB, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, PortugalCERES, Chemical Engineering and Renewable Resources for Sustainability, University of Coimbra, 3030-790 Coimbra, PortugalPolyurethanes (PUs) are extremely versatile materials used across different industries. Traditionally, they are synthesized by reacting polyols and isocyanates, both of which are petroleum-derived reagents. In response to the demand for more eco-friendly materials, research has increasingly focused on developing new routes for PU synthesis using renewable feedstocks. While substituting isocyanates remains a greater challenge, replacing fossil-based polyols with bio-based alternatives is now a promising strategy. This review explores the main natural sources and their transformations into bio-polyols, the incorporation of bio-fillers into PU formulations, and the production of non-isocyanate polyurethanes (NIPUs). Additionally, the study summarizes the growing body of research that has reported successful outcomes using bio-polyols in PU foams for distinct applications.https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/15/5/680bio-based polyurethane foamsbio-polyolsrenewable sources
spellingShingle Marta Santos
Marcos Mariz
Igor Tiago
Susana Alarico
Paula Ferreira
Bio-Based Polyurethane Foams: Feedstocks, Synthesis, and Applications
Biomolecules
bio-based polyurethane foams
bio-polyols
renewable sources
title Bio-Based Polyurethane Foams: Feedstocks, Synthesis, and Applications
title_full Bio-Based Polyurethane Foams: Feedstocks, Synthesis, and Applications
title_fullStr Bio-Based Polyurethane Foams: Feedstocks, Synthesis, and Applications
title_full_unstemmed Bio-Based Polyurethane Foams: Feedstocks, Synthesis, and Applications
title_short Bio-Based Polyurethane Foams: Feedstocks, Synthesis, and Applications
title_sort bio based polyurethane foams feedstocks synthesis and applications
topic bio-based polyurethane foams
bio-polyols
renewable sources
url https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/15/5/680
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AT marcosmariz biobasedpolyurethanefoamsfeedstockssynthesisandapplications
AT igortiago biobasedpolyurethanefoamsfeedstockssynthesisandapplications
AT susanaalarico biobasedpolyurethanefoamsfeedstockssynthesisandapplications
AT paulaferreira biobasedpolyurethanefoamsfeedstockssynthesisandapplications