Novel Process to Make Plastic from Cellulose

Scientists at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory may have a new process to produce plastic from plant fibers (cellulose). Traditionally plastic is made from petrochemicals - both as feedstock and as a power source for production.

" ... have done that no one else has been able to do is convert glucose directly in high yields to a primary building block for fuel and polyesters," ... building block is called HMF, which stands for hydroxymethylfurfural. It is a chemical derived from carbohydrates such as glucose and fructose and is viewed as a promising surrogate for petroleum-based chemicals."

" ... announced a simple process that turns cellulose (plant fibers) into plastic. ... still quite a ways off from commercial application, it shows promise as a way of creating alternative plastics
... "


Via: WholeTravel.com LINK

Via: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory LINK