Environmental impact and industrial development of biorenewable resources for polyurethanes

Polyurethanes are among the most developed types of polymers. They are produced from the three primary components, i.e., polyols, low-molecular-weight glycols used as chain extenders, and diisocyanates. Until recently, all these substrates have been obtained via petrochemical processes. A decrease in petroleum-based resources and new ecological trends in chemistry, chemical technology, and materials engineering have generated increasing interest in the utilization of biorenewables for producing polymers. This paper aims to critically comment on the environmental impact of the replacement of petroleum-based components by bio-based chemicals in reference to the polyurethane synthesis.