Blogopmaak
First biobased industrial coating demonstrated with partners Worlée Chemie and Baril Coatings
December 14, 2023
An important milestone for Relement has been achieved: the successful demonstration of bio MPA in industrial coatings! Relement teamed up with Worlée Chemie and Baril Coatings to successfully demonstrate this game-changer industrial coating: a first of a kind, high performance, waterborne alkyd coating. Incorporating our ingredient bio MPA to replace the fossil-based ingredient phthalic anhydride.
After three years of tinkering and testing various formulas, the partnership hit a breakthrough with a pilot run of this eco-coating. And as a final check, it is showcased by Straalbedrijf Boxtel on an electric wheelloader made by TOBROCO-GIANT. A successful demonstration that proofs industrial performance coatings can be sustainable. It contains the highest percentage biobased content ever achieved. This coating saves the planet while looking slick.
For many years the coating resin industry tried to replace fossil phthalic anhydride. Our launching product bio MPA (3-methyl phthalic anhydride) turns out it to be a renewable solution: it not only replaces fossil-based ingredients but on top of that a waterborne coating has been developed to lower emissions and improve the safety profile. Additionally, other benefits were found that can be attributed to the use of bio MPA.
Relement is committed to get rid of fossil resources, starting with fossil free coatings. This demonstration is a major milestone for Relement towards achieving this goal and is proof that it can be done.
Relement is now ready to scale up the production of bio MPA to ton-scale, which will lead to the commercial introduction of much more sustainable coatings, composite resins, adhesives and more.
This partnership was part of the Bright Coatings project, see www.brightcoatings.eu
Relement has completed its first collaboration project with Fontys University of Applied Sciences, Eindhoven (The Netherlands). During a 18 months period, a team of teachers and 21 students worked on alkyd coating research based on Relement’ launching product bio MPA. To accelerate the research, coating experts Joost van Dijk (Puroc) and Henk van den Haak (Resinconsult) advised the students with experimental setup and formulation work. A wealth of knowledge has been created supporting the commercial use of bio MPA in performance alkyd coatings. The Relement team enjoyed the project and is convinced about the effectiveness of collaborative applied research. We are thankful with at least 21 new ambassadors for sustainable chemistry! This project is partially funded with subsidy from KIEM GoChem, a joint subsidy program from the Dutch Regieorgaan SIA and ChemistryNL.
Relement has contracted R&D partners to further optimize the production process for our launching product bio MPA (3-methylphthalic anhydride), enabling us to commence industrial-scale manufacturing soon. The efforts resulted in: a leaner and more robust process; increased bio MPA product recovery; reduced formation of byproducts such as humins; reduced the use of organic solvents; reduced energy requirement. After the summer, we will select a Contract Manufacturing Organisation to begin the production of our launching product bio MPA. Join us on our mission towards a greener chemical future. Get in touch if you would like to purchase bio MPA for your coating, adhesive or composite resin. For more information please contact our CTO Stefano Iannacone: Stefano.iannacone@relement.eu
Relement achieved an important milestone by successfully demonstrating the use of our ingredient bio MPA in high-quality composite materials. Relement worked with Hobum to create this game-changing material: a high-performance, biobased composite material with a glass transition temperature of >110 degrees Celsius. Hobum aimed to develop composites parts made of plant fibres and a vegetable oil-based resins using a resin-transfer moulding process to create a bisphenol A-free product. Hobum reached out to Relement for the utilisation of our ingredient bio MPA to replace fossil-based anhydrides such as MHHPA in their resins. After 1.5 year of testing of various formulations, the partnership hit a breakthrough with a recipe based on admergenic acid (ADA), epoxidized linseed oil (ELO) and Relement’s ingredient 3-methylphthalic anhydride (bio MPA). This resulted in a prototype car interior panel part. The composite material reached the highest % biobased (85%) and the highest glass transition temperature (Tg 95-120 °C depending on catalyst and temperature). A higher Tg results in enhanced strength, stiffness and heat resistance. There is a strong demand worldwide on availability of lightweight composite materials with high performance. Bio MPA can be a gamechanger for this industry. HOBUM recently showed all technical data at their HOBUM Innovation Exchange Webinar. Please view the complete record using the link below:
Following meetings with AkzoNobel, Relement is excited to note that AkzoNobel has been following our progress and technology development to date with interest. Relement and Akzo Nobel are working together to explore use of Relement's launching product bio MPA (3-methylphthalic anhydride) in coatings and measure the impact of our bio MPA in coating performances. Together, we have also identified a number of other opportunities that can broaden the scope of this partnership and add value in multiple areas. For more information please contact our Chief Commercial Officer Monique Wekking: monique.wekking@relement.eu
We are excited to be part of the consortium AROMATICS in which 3 promising bio-aromatics production platforms will be further developed and scaled, including furfural based aromatics such as our launching product bio MPA The consortium consists of 14 partners and the entire value chain is on board including brandowners. We are looking forward to explore new applications based on bio MPA and bio HMA. AROMATICS stands for Aromatic Renewables as an Opportunity for MATerials with Improved Circularity and Sustainability and this 3-year project is performed with MOOI-funding from the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs & Climate.
Relement is in the final stage of selecting a European Contract Manufacturing Organisation that will produce our launching product bio MPA at ton-scale in 2024. It is possible to pre-order samples now. Please indicate to us the volume bio MPA you would like to purchase in 2024 to boost the sustainability and performance of your products. Fill in the form below:
Relement conducted a carbon footprint analysis as part of the initial Life Cycle Assessment for our launching product bio MPA (3-methylphthalic anhydride) A cradle-to-grave analysis has been carried out by E-hoch-3 and confirms: the production of specialty bio-aromatics from furfural, derived from non-edible residual streams, results in a significant reduction in CO2 emissions compared to fossil equivalent. It’s Relement’s mission to change the world, starting with fossil free coatings. We provide the missing renewable element for coatings and more. Our specialty bio-aromatic products provide an unmatched combination of sustainability and performance. All elements matter. Are you interested in the details and would you like to join us and green the chemical industry together? Please contact Roger Blokland for more information at roger.blokland@relement.eu
Relement is one of the 10 startups selected for the Dutch Pole Position Greentech Program of Techleap.nl in 2023. This batch showcases the brightest minds and boldest innovations with a focus on sustainability and environmental impact in the Netherlands. Relement is part of this the Greentech Pole Position program together with CarbonX, CyBe Construction, OneThird , Photanol, QuinteQ Energy, SeaQurrent®, Tarnoc, RIFT and Thorizon. The team will experienced coaches, entrepeneurs, investors and of course it is always good to challenge and learn from other passionate deep tech entrepreneurs. The program runs until January 2024 and will accelerate our biobased scale-up journey.
We are honoured that Relement has won the prestigious Brabant40 award. The Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Mickey Adriaansens handed over the award to our CEO Roger Blokland at the Level UP Event on September 25th in front of 750 startups, investors and other stakeholders. Relement was nominated as 1 of the 40 most promising start-ups in the province of North Brabant, next to AI, medtech, SAAS and hardware deeptech startup companies. An expert jury selected 3 companies to pitch on stage in front of the audience from which Relement was selected as winner. The first response of our CEO Roger Blokland was “wow, this is really unexpected! All 40 nominated startups deserve to be winners, since change in the world is needed. Today we are the lucky ones, fantastic” The jury recognised the impact Relement can make with their company in providing the missing renewable element for coatings and more. This award is a great recognition to our Relement team and our commitment to getting rid of fossil resources by introducing bio-aromatic ingredients for coatings and more. Our launching product bio MPA provides an unmatched combination of sustainability and improved performance. All elements matter. A big thank you to everyone who has supported us on our journey so far! Furthermore, we also congratulate the runners-up AgroExact and VivArt-X.
Following the successful technology demonstration at pilot scale, Relement is now ready to take the launching product bio MPA to the market. In order to expedite the introduction and adoption of this innovative solution, Relement is actively seeking a manufacturing partner to outsource the production process. Relement aims to leverage their expertise and make use of existing manufacturing facilities b y collaborating with a company specialized in chemical manufacturing processes, This strategic decision holds several key advantages. First, it enables us to accelerate the market entry of bio MPA. Second, Relement will be able to minimize capital investments, thereby reducing the risks associated with scaling up operations. By promoting the use of our launching product bio MPA and supporting the development of sustainable alternatives, we contribute to a greener and more responsible economy. Our commitment to core values, such as co-creation, is exemplified by the intention to co-operate with a manufacturing partner. Relement created a whitepaper together with Dutch impact investor Invest-NL on why outsourcing can be a winning strategy especially for chemical start-ups. Relement wants to inspire other chemical start-ups to consider alternative scaling up routes. To download the whitepaper, follow the link below: Download whitepaper For more information, please contact CTO Stefano Iannacone: Stefano.iannacone@relement.eu