Bowden Chemicals is replacing petrochemical monomers in unsaturated polyester resins (UPRs) with bio-based alternatives, starting with resin anchor bolts used in construction and infrastructure. UPRs are essential for high-strength applications—securing bridge facades, tunnel linings, heavy machinery, and marine structures—but they currently rely on fossil fuels for more than 99% of their feedstock. Without alternatives, plastics will account for 50% of global oil demand by 2050, releasing 6.5 billion tonnes of CO₂. Existing bioplastics are too costly and lack the supply chains to compete. This project tackles both barriers by developing bio-based monomers that can be formulated to meet the specific mechanical demands of resin anchors, a first step toward broader UPR applications. If successful, the research could shift a major industrial material away from petroleum without sacrificing performance. Resin anchors would remain durable and load-bearing, but their production would emit far less carbon. The same approach could later extend to coatings, automotive parts, and marine components—quietly reducing the carbon footprint of the built environment without requiring consumers to change anything.
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Fossil fuels currently provide \>99% of the feedstock chemicals used for plastics production. With the electrification of industry and transport, by 2050 plastics will account for 50% in demand for oil by 2050, equivalent to 6.5 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions. To break reliance on fossil fuels, use of alternative feedstocks from sustainable and environmentally friendly sources is essential. Currently, bioplastic production is immature and, where available, suffers high production costs and proves less competitive than its petroleum-based counterpart. For many plastics, bio-alternatives have not been found or a suitable supply chain is not in place to meet the demand at scale. Addressing these barriers is crucial for the successful transition to bio-based feedstocks in the plastic industry. Bowden Chemicals specialises in the supply of raw materials to the coatings, phenolic and unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) industries, particularly selling active monomers and cross-linking agents to manufacturers. Using established research links with the University of Hull and their extensive experience/understanding of this market Bowden offer bio-based alternatives to their clients. UPRs play a pivotal role in many industries e.g. automative, construction, marine and are produced from petrochemical derived monomers. To continue to produce synthetic resins while reaching net zero targets and eradicating reliance on fossil fuels, alternatives to monomers from petrochemical feedstocks are needed. The multiple applications of UPRs have wide ranging requirements, needing formulation to achieve materials properties to meet them. Resin anchor bolts have been chosen as the first application for this research. Resin anchors give high load capacity and durability, making them essential for critical applications. Industries include: * Construction: Building facades, bridges, tunnels, and structural elements. * Infrastructure: Securing railings, guardrails, and signage. * Manufacturing: Anchoring heavy machinery and equipment. * Renovation and Repair: Fixing old or porous substrates. * Marine and Offshore: Anchoring in challenging environments.
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