**7. References**


Gvozdyak R.I., М.S. Matyshevskaya, Y.F. Grigoriev, О.А. Litvinchuk. (1989). *Microbial polysaccharide xanthan*, Naukova Dumka, 5120009670, Kyiv.

**Chapter 20** 

© 2012 Badri, licensee InTech. This is an open access chapter distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use,

distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

© 2012 Badri, licensee InTech. This is a paper distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Polyurethanes are block copolymers containing segments of low molecular weight polyester or polyether bonded to a urethane group (-NHCO-O). Traditionally, these polymers are prepared by reacting three basic materials; polyisocyanates, hydroxyl-containing polymers (polyester or polyether polyol) and chain extender, normally low molecular weight diol or

Polyols are generally manufactured by one or two possible chemical routes, namely alkoxylation and esterification. Alkoxylation, by far is the most common route, involves the reaction between a hydroxyl or an amine-containing initiator (such as sucrose, glycerol) and either propylene- or ethylene oxide. A molecular weight of up to 6000 can be obtained by extending the polymer chain with the addition of alkylene oxide. This product is suitable for more flexible polyurethanes in cushioning and elastomeric applications. The alkylene oxide used in this process is derived from mineral oil via the petroleum industry. Propylene for instance, is derived from the petroleum cracking process and is then converted to propylene oxide before being further converted to polyol by reaction with an amine or hydroxyl-

At present, most polyols used in polyurethane industry are petroleum-based where crude oil and coal are used as starting raw materials. However, these materials have been escalating in price and rate of depletion is high as well as required high technology processing system. This necessitates a look at utilizing plants that can serve as alternative feed stocks of monomers for the polymer industry. Moreover, with increasing annual consumption of polyurethane, its industrial waste is a serious matter. In Europe and the United States of America for instance, government regulations encouraged recycling of materials to avoid excessive usage of landfill area. However, with thermosetting behavior of polyurethane the recycling activity is difficult and limited. The best alternative is

**Biobased Polyurethane from** 

**Palm Kernel Oil-Based Polyol** 

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

diamine (such as 1, 4-butanediol or 1, 4-dibutylamine).

containing initiator such as glycerol.

Khairiah Haji Badri

**1. Introduction** 

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/47966


**Chapter 20** 
