Innovative use of palm oil by-product as PVC thermal stabilizer
Research unveils an effective and economically viable organotin mercaptide-based stabilizer derived from palm fatty acid distillate.
image: Research unveils an effective and economically viable organotin mercaptide-based stabilizer derived from palm fatty acid distillate.
Credit: Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Industrial Technology, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Bandung 40132, Indonesia
In a significant breakthrough for the plastics industry, researchers from Institut Teknologi Bandung have developed a method to transform palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD), a by-product of palm oil refining, into a highly effective thermal stabilizer for polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The study, led by I Dewa Gede Arsa Putrawan and Adli Azharuddin, details a two-step synthesis process that converts PFAD into methyltin mercaptoethyl palmate sulfide (MTMEPS), an organotin mercaptide-based stabilizer.
The research addresses the need for more sustainable PVC stabilizers, which are crucial for preventing the degradation of PVC at high temperatures. Traditional stabilizers, such as mixed metal stearates, while effective, often involve complex and less environmentally friendly production processes. The new stabilizer, MTMEPS, not only provides superior stabilization but also requires a lower dosage, making it a more cost-effective solution.
The study's findings are based on rigorous testing, including dehydrochlorination and two-roll mill discoloration tests, which demonstrated MTMEPS's high efficacy in stabilizing PVC. The results showed that MTMEPS could delay PVC discoloration and degradation at lower concentrations compared to mixed metal stearate, indicating its potential as a leading stabilizer in PVC applications.
Economic evaluations presented in the study suggest that the cost of producing MTMEPS is competitive with traditional stabilizers, despite the higher cost of raw materials. The researchers estimate the raw material cost for MTMEPS at 6.52 USD/kg, with a total production cost estimated at 13.0 USD/kg, making it an economically viable alternative.
This research contributes to the circular economy by repurposing a by-product of the palm oil industry, reducing waste and offering a more sustainable solution for PVC stabilization. The findings have implications for the chemical industry, PVC manufacturers, and environmental sustainability efforts, potentially leading to a reduction in the environmental impact of PVC production and use.
See the article:
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobab.2024.06.001
Original Source URL
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2369969824000392
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