Optimization and classification project on biodegradable polyurethane foam

• Grant number: 98/01934-5
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: March 01, 1999
• End date: August 31, 1999
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Chemical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Eduardo Murgel Ferraz Kehl
• Grantee: Eduardo Murgel Ferraz Kehl
• Company: Kehl Indústria e Comércio Ltda. - ME
• City: São Carlos

Abstract

The objectives of this project are to improve the physical-chemical properties of the product BioEspuma (BioFoam), its parameters of production, to determine the quality system, to analyze its behavior regarding properties of biodegradation and as a substrate for the growth of plant cuttings. Once the parameters are defined, the intention is to produce and sell the possible products obtained, such as packaging, and the intermediate raw material (polyol) targeting a profit margin greater than 20 per cent. The company’s philosophy has always been to give priority to using processes, the raw materials of which can be obtained from the agriculture/farming industry, which aim towards products of large consumption. From castor oil and other derivatives of the agriculture/farming industry a semi-rigid foam (basically of polyurethane) has already been obtained, which is biodegradable. The product was patented as BioEspuma. The objective now is to work out the details of a production process and a quality control system which meet the ISO 9000 and ISO 14000 standards. In five years, it is intended to produce a quantity equivalent to 2 per cent of the current consumption of packaging material. Presently, this would be around 300 tons/month or US$ 1.5 million of monthly income. Another objective is to triple market share during a second five-year period of the project, generating, in this manner, sufficient resources for investment in the area of production technology. The objective is to use the family workforce of small producers for whom the cultivation of the castor bean on a consortium basis would provide an alternative to traditional crops. The tests on cutting growths will be in the form of observing and recording growth from the seeds. (AU)