Pine Bark as a Lignocellulosic Resource for Polyurethane Production: An Evaluation.

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Title: Pine Bark as a Lignocellulosic Resource for Polyurethane Production: An Evaluation.
Authors: Arshanitsa, Alexander1 (AUTHOR) arshanica@edi.lv, Pals, Matiss1 (AUTHOR), Vjalikova, Alexandra1 (AUTHOR), Vevere, Laima1 (AUTHOR), Bikovens, Oskars1 (AUTHOR), Jashina, Lilija1 (AUTHOR)
Source: Polymers (20734360). Jan2026, Vol. 18 Issue 1, p96. 27p.
Subjects: Polyurethanes, Polyols, Pine, Lignocellulose, Flammability, Mechanical behavior of materials, Foam, Thermal insulation
Abstract: This study explores the potential of pine bark—a highly accessible and underexploited by-product of forestry and food processing—as a renewable raw material for rigid polyurethane (PUR) foam production. Under optimal extraction conditions, water-soluble extractives rich in carbohydrates were isolated from biomass with a yield of 25% and subsequently condensed with propylene carbonate (PC) to produce bio-based polyols. The polyols synthesized at a PC/OH molar ratio ranging from 1 to 5 were incorporated into rigid PUR foam formulations as substitutes for commercial polyether polyols. The foams containing bio-polyols synthesized at a PC/OH ratio of 3 demonstrated the highest compressive strength and thermal insulation performance, exceeding those of the reference material by 30% and 9%, respectively, and exhibited enhanced thermo-oxidative stability. Incorporation of extracted bark up to 10 wt% as a filler in the PUR matrix led to a decrease in mechanical properties to the level of the reference foam and a 19% reduction in thermal insulation capacity, without affecting the closed-cell content. Cone calorimetry revealed that both filled and unfilled bio-polyol-based PUR foams exhibited lower degradation rate, heat release rate, and total smoke release compared with the reference material, indicating reduced flammability and a lower tendency toward fire propagation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Abstract:This study explores the potential of pine bark—a highly accessible and underexploited by-product of forestry and food processing—as a renewable raw material for rigid polyurethane (PUR) foam production. Under optimal extraction conditions, water-soluble extractives rich in carbohydrates were isolated from biomass with a yield of 25% and subsequently condensed with propylene carbonate (PC) to produce bio-based polyols. The polyols synthesized at a PC/OH molar ratio ranging from 1 to 5 were incorporated into rigid PUR foam formulations as substitutes for commercial polyether polyols. The foams containing bio-polyols synthesized at a PC/OH ratio of 3 demonstrated the highest compressive strength and thermal insulation performance, exceeding those of the reference material by 30% and 9%, respectively, and exhibited enhanced thermo-oxidative stability. Incorporation of extracted bark up to 10 wt% as a filler in the PUR matrix led to a decrease in mechanical properties to the level of the reference foam and a 19% reduction in thermal insulation capacity, without affecting the closed-cell content. Cone calorimetry revealed that both filled and unfilled bio-polyol-based PUR foams exhibited lower degradation rate, heat release rate, and total smoke release compared with the reference material, indicating reduced flammability and a lower tendency toward fire propagation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:20734360
DOI:10.3390/polym18010096