The Knowledge Transfer Network is building a new UK network, showcasing the benefits of new product development design teams inspired by nature. This event showcase how biomimicry and nature inspired solutions are being used in established innovation processes from a section of innovative companies and it’s an opportunity to learn about how to implement and benefit from Nature Inspired Solutions. What are Nature Inspired Solutions? In the past Biomimicry or Biomimetics started from simple imitation of natural organisms. Over time, it has evolved through integration and combination with modern science and engineering to help us discover new materials, ways of combining nano/microstructures, applications, and alternative ways of production and process design thinking leading to nature inspired or bio inspired engineering. Rather than imitating the whole plant, animal or biological process, nature-inspired solutions aim to uncover the underlying mechanisms and apply them in the design of new products, processes or systems in a structured way. This Nature Inspired Solutions Special Interest Group (NIS SIG) aims to convene and grow the nature inspired solution community and accelerate innovation through cross-sector collaborations. Find out more about the Nature Inspired Solutions Special Interest Group at https://ktn-uk.co.uk/interests/nature-inspired-solutions

1. Designing, developing and manufacturing polymers and
specialist synthetic resins
“The Green future of advanced resin chemistry”
KTN - The Nature of Design (Birmingham)
10th October, 2019
Dominic Hopwood
Bitrez Limited

2. • About our company
• Bitrez Limited, established in 1983.
• UK SME, privately owned, 100 employees.
• 2 sites based in Standish and Pemberton, both near Wigan, UK
• Developer / Manufacturer of high performance synthetic resins and formulated systems
for:
• Coatings
• Composites
• Adhesives
• Insulation
• Thermoset & Bio based chemistries.
• Industries served include Automotive, Aerospace, Defence, Marine, Rail, Packaging &
Energy
• In-house R&D laboratory formulating unique, innovative technologies
• Pilot plant scale up
• 50,000 MT annual capacity / Toll processing
Designing, developing and manufacturing polymers and
specialist synthetic resins
CONFIDENTIAL COMPANY OVERVIEW

3. Designing, developing and manufacturing polymers and
specialist synthetic resins
What are the key market demands for Thermoset resins ?
High / Low temperature resistance
Flame retardancy Toughness / Strength
Self-healing / Repairable Multifunctional
Low cost
Sustainable
REACH compliant
CONFIDENTIAL COMPANY OVERVIEW

4. Green and Sustainable Pharmacy (K. Kummerer / M. Hempel, 2010)CONFIDENTIAL COMPANY OVERVIEW
How has nature provided inspiration ?

5. CONFIDENTIAL COMPANY OVERVIEW
“The greatest threat
to our planet is the
belief that someone
else will save it.”
– Robert Swan, OBE
(Explorer / Author)

6. CONFIDENTIAL COMPANY OVERVIEW Green and Sustainable Pharmacy (K. Kummerer / M. Hempel, 2010)

7. Platform Molecules to replace Base Chemicals
CONFIDENTIAL COMPANY OVERVIEW Green and Sustainable Pharmacy (K. Kummerer / M. Hempel, 2010)
Bitrez, together with sister
business Anacarda, is
investing in the development
and manufacture of novel
chemistries from bio waste
such as cashew nut shell oil,
sugar beet and other plant
based oils and fatty acids to
replace / replicate traditional
fossil fuel derived chemicals
to meet the growing
demands for a more
sustainable supply chain

8. anacarda specialises in the manufacture of polymers derived from cashew
nutshell liquid (CNSL)
• There are three different methods generally used in extracting cashew
nutshell liquid from cashew nuts, namely mechanical, roasting and solvent
extraction
• The cashew nutshell provides a tough, waterproof outer case, protecting
the nut from harsh environments. This same philosophy has inspired our
product development of our Phenalkamine curing agents.
• The products are used with epoxy resins in the formulation of toughened,
hydrophobic coating systems for a variety of global industries including
marine, transport, civil engineering, construction and coatings
Designing, developing and manufacturing polymers and
specialist synthetic resins
Cardamine: Phenalkamine Epoxy Curing Agents
CONFIDENTIAL COMPANY OVERVIEW

9. Bio derived Epoxy resins are now being used in composites & adhesives
• Two major materials in the production of Epoxy resins are
Bisphenol A and Epichlorohydrin.
• Glycerol (a by-product of Bio-diesel production) can be a bio-
source for Epichlorohydrin.
• Glucose, sorbitol and isosorbide respectively can be bio-based
precursor for Bisphenol-A.
Designing, developing and manufacturing polymers and
specialist synthetic resins
Bio-based Epoxy resins
CONFIDENTIAL COMPANY OVERVIEW

10. Sugar beet derived PFA resins are starting to replace
conventional Phenolic resins in numerous applications
• Phenolic resins are synthetic polymers obtained by the
reaction of phenol or substituted phenol with
formaldehyde
• PFA (Polyfurfuryl Alcohol) is a thermosetting bio-resin
derived from crop waste and is similar to a Phenolic
resin but with lower VOC emissions.
• In addition to its environmental credentials, PFA has
fire retardant properties equivalent to Phenolic, plus
excellent temperature and chemical resistance.
Designing, developing and manufacturing polymers and
specialist synthetic resins
Bio-equivalent Phenolic resins
CONFIDENTIAL COMPANY OVERVIEW

11. CONFIDENTIAL COMPANY OVERVIEW
Each market sector has different requirements and so the choice of
materials to meet their sustainability challenges also differ:
• Understanding of where bio-based materials add value – which
offer the best properties and performance by sector ?
• Mapping the end user material properties to potential
sustainable feedstocks – biomass already contains many
polymers (e.g. Lignin, Cellulose, Starch, Protein).
• Turning biomass into platform molecules, which in turn become
bio-based chemicals – developing the process, especially
collection of waste
• Development of repeatable, high quality yet cost effective
processes – feedstocks through to manufacturing at scale.
Designing, developing and manufacturing polymers and
specialist synthetic resins
What are the future challenges for “Green” chemistry ?

12. CONFIDENTIAL COMPANY OVERVIEW
To meet the 2030 goal of “National Bio-economy
Strategy”, we need to innovate and collaborate now.

13. Thank you for your attention !
• Dominic Hopwood (Resin Sales Manager)
• dominic.hopwood@bitrez.co.uk
• 07341 885 244
• http://www.bitrez.com
@Bitrez_Ltd BITREZ GROUP LIMITED
Bradley Hall Trading Estate
Bradley Lane
Standish
Wigan
WN6 0XQ
Designing, developing and manufacturing polymers and
specialist synthetic resins