Description
Climate change has become a matter of global concern due to the high atmospheric concentration of CO2. Subsequently, the EU-28 has established ambitious energy and climate targets for 2020. The NEOSPOL project aims to develop "green" synthesis processes to obtain polymeric materials with a high added value and low impact on the environment, from intermediates obtained by the incorporation of CO2 byproduct of refineries, using specific catalysts. NEOSPOL seeks to reduce impacts caused by greenhouse gases by replacing conventional materials derived from crude oil with secondary raw materials (CO2 byproduct), to obtain CO2-based polymers. These materials can be a feasible alternative to the polymers produced only from fossil-based raw material. NEOSPOL's main innovative aspect is the high increase of CO2 in the polymers due to the combination in the use of specific intermediates- and own highly active catalysts, which allow it to work in better conditions. Project outcomes involve a reduction in terms of: fossil materials, VOCs, carbon footprint due to polymers synthesis, and sustainable processes.
Summary of project results
REPSOL S.A. is an energy company, a leader in Spain in refining and marketing of oil, and one of the largest energy companies worldwide. Its activities include: Exploration and Production, Refining and Marketing, Chemicals, Gas and Electricity and new Energies. This project is needed because climate change is of global concern as a result of the continued increase of atmospheric concentration of CO2. In response the EU-28 has established ambitious energy and climate targets for 2020. The NEOSPOL project sought to develop "green" synthesis processes to obtain polymeric materials with high added value and respectful to the environment, from intermediates obtained by incorporation of CO2 byproduct of refineries, using specific catalysts. During the project, REPSOL has developed on laboratory scale the new formulations and the process of synthesis of CO2 based products taking into account their future applications. Some of them have been also developed in a pilot plant that REPSOL has in Spanish town Puertollano, in the province of Ciudad Real. This pilot plant has been modified so that the right operating conditions are fulfilled. At last, the products have been transformed and validated in their final applications. The aim of the new products is to improve the environmental footprint of the previous ones, maintaining or even improving some of their properties. The new polymeric can be used in different applications: - Packaging film and adhesives - Foam block for the comfort market - Applications of high CO2 content The specific objectives achieved with the project are, among others: - Reduction emissions of greenhouse gases - Reduction of the carbon footprint of the process of synthesis of polymers - Reduction of the voltaic organic compounds - Increase of the biodegradability of the new products - Reduction of energy consumption in the process of synthesis of polymers
Summary of bilateral results