Opportunities in Bio-Based Building Blocks for Thermoplastic Polymers

Within the last decade the discussions about global warming and finiteness of oil resources stimulated the general search for alternatives. One aspect thereof is the use of renewable resources as future raw material for plastics. A detailed look shows that there are in principle many routes available for bio-based solutions in polymers. This review extends from those which have already reached the marketplace to those which are highly speculative and yet far from realization. The main focus is on the variety and chemistry of primary building blocks derived from renewable resources and the thermoplastic polymers synthesized therefrom. The review starts with an extensive overview about primary intermediates made from natural resources followed by a discussion about the opportunities in bio-based polymers.