Thermoplastic and biodegradable thermo-condensable resins

Thermoplastic and biodegradable thermo-condensable resins available in the market are derivatives of petroleum. In Chile, the most widely used products are polyolefin (polyethylene and polypropylene) and adhesives for wood (urea, melamine and phenol-formaldehyde). 

The possibility to replace these fossil products with forest biomass derivates is highly attractive as for environmental (bio-degradability and the absence toxic compounds like phenol or formaldehyde) as well as strategic and economic reasons.

Other highly interesting products are biodegradable plastic of the polylactic acid kind (PLA). Applications for the domestic market, mainly for fruit and forestry sectors are being developed.

In the same manner, there are studies and research on technological alternatives for the production of thermo-condensable resins based on natural polyphenols from pine bark in order to obtain materials likely to be extruded and injecting molded for the manufacturing of commercial products.