Dow to Receive $5 Million from U.S. Department of Energy to Develop Renewable Plant-oil Technology for Plastics and Chemicals
The project brings together Dow; Castor Oil, Inc. of Plainview, TX; and the United States Department of Agriculture's Western Regional Research Center (WRRC) of Albany, CA, to work on improving properties of plant oils so that industry can more easily substitute them for petrochemical-based raw materials.
"Success with this research will allow us to produce new products for our customers. In addition to helping meet customer needs, these products will have the advantage of being produced from a renewable, crop-based resource," said Carolyn Fritz, Global Business Director for Dow's Industrial Biotechnology Business.
The plant-oil award is among six major awards totaling $30 million from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to develop process technology for the production of chemicals, plastics, materials and other products from plant matter and natural waste materials and establish university education and training programs in bioproducts. The projects address areas identified in the National Energy Plan for increasing development of bioproducts and bioenergy.
Castor is already an established industrial crop in countries other than the U.S. Castor oil is used in paints, coatings and specialty nylons, but in its current form cannot produce properties suitable for wide use in plastics and chemicals. Dow will work on the chemistry of the oils, and work with Castor Oil, Inc. and the WRRC to develop new castor varieties and improved agricultural technologies.
Most read news
Topics
Organizations
Related link
Other news from the department business & finance
Get the chemical industry in your inbox
From now on, don't miss a thing: Our newsletter for the chemical industry, analytics, lab technology and process engineering brings you up to date every Tuesday and Thursday. The latest industry news, product highlights and innovations - compact and easy to understand in your inbox. Researched by us so you don't have to.