In 2011 we discovered that both Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (ATRP) and Reversible Addition-Fragmentation chain Transfer (RAFT) polymerization evidently suppress the gel point in the polymerization of acrylated epoxideized soybean oil (AESO) such that polymerized AESO (PAESO) could be isolated as a thermoplastic rubber at &gt; 80% yield. This discovery opened a completely new realm for biopolymer applications based on thermoplastic poly(AESO) rubbers; moreover, sequential polymerization of PAESO with styrene yields styrenic block copolymers with many properties reminiscent of the Kraton SBS family first commercized over forty years ago. In this talk I will share our experiences in bringing these materials to market, beginning with their synthetic details of and their basic rheological properties. Like SBS polymers, PS/PAESO block copolymers showed early promise as asphalt modifiers: a simple high volume application with relatively few barries to market entry. Moreover, technoeconomic analysis suggests that—even with new capital expenditures—PS/PAESO can be cost advantaged over SBS analogues at full scale production. Over the past two years we have cultivated a combination of strategic partnerships between academic, government, and industrial entities that continues to push PS/PAESO (and its successors) out of the laboratory and into the marketplace.

Commercialization of triglyceride-based thermoplastic elastomers for polymer modified asphalt pavements: Where the (bio)rubber meets the road

249th National Meeting (2015)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.