• Bio-based and lower-carbon supply chains are driving reformulation across packaging HMAs, polyurethane adhesives, sealants and building material adhesives.
• Drop-in replacements are a key strategy: new bio-based waxes, oils and resins are engineered to match the performance of incumbent petroleum-derived benchmarks whilst reducing Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions for downstream customers.
• Microbiological / fermentation-based production is entering the CASE surfactant space, with commercially scaled biosurfactant (sophorolipid) offerings now listed on the U.S. TSCA Inventory.

Wax for Packaging Adhesives

• SASOLWAX LC100 (Sasol Chemicals): Industrial GTL Fischer-Tropsch wax with a 35% lower carbon footprint versus benchmark grade (SASOLWAX H1). Drop-in solution for odourless, clear HMA formulations with metallocene polymers. Properties: low viscosity, high crystallinity, fast set times, outstanding thermal stability. PCF calculation model third-party verified to ISO 14067.

Silicone-Free Powder Defoamer

• BYK-1693 SD (BYK): VOC-free, mineral-oil-free, silicone-free powder defoamer for aqueous and dispersion-bound building material systems. 54% biobased carbon content. Suitable for waterproofing membranes, concrete repair mortars, tile adhesives, levelling compounds, jointing compounds, putties and screeds.

Biobased Platform Molecule 5-HMF

• 5-HMF (ResiCare): First industrial samples of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, a non-toxic biobased molecule produced from plant-based fructose. Designated as containing no SVHC substances per ECHA criteria. Acts as a fossil-fuel replacement platform across adhesives, resins, plastic polymers, solvents, amines, amides, fuels and pharmaceuticals.

Biobased Hydrocarbon Oils

• S……. (K Corp.): New line of biobased hydrocarbon oils derived from crude tall oil (CTO), a by-product of the kraft pulp industry. Sourced from responsibly managed, non-GMO forests; does not compete with food crops or require land-use change. Properties: excellent solvency power, lower viscosity enablement, low-temperature handling safety.

• Amphi® Sophorolipids (Locus Ingredients): 100% bio-based sophorolipids (glycolipid class) produced domestically in the U.S. at commercial scale. TSCA-listed. Palm-oil-free, non-GMO, no formaldehyde, lowest residual oleochemical and free fatty acid content in class. Readily biodegradable. Multifunctional: emulsifier, wetting agent, solubiliser, coalescing agent and detergent for CASE applications.

Biobased Thermoplastic Polyurethane Resin

• Pearlbond™ ECO 590 HMS TPU (Lubrizol): Hot-melt adhesive TPU resin with up to 59% bio content from renewable sources. Toluene-free. Applications: furniture, edge banding, electronics, hot-melt film, textile lamination, seam tape, footwear, transportation. Properties: fast-setting, high temperature and hydrolysis resistance, wide wettability, improved processability.

• Eversorb® EP and HP series (Everlight Chemical):
  • EP series: liquid UV absorbers for epoxy resin systems; prevents sealant yellowing whilst maintaining physical strength.
  • HP3: substitute for Tinuvin B75.
  • HP6: replaces traditional powders UV 326 and HALS 770; liquid form for improved incorporation.
  • HP5: non-toxic, eco-friendly; no hazard warning labelling required.

Light and Heat Stabiliser

• AddWorks IBC 760 (Clariant): Label-free light and heat stabiliser for SMP sealants. Surpasses performance of benzotriazole-containing benchmark solutions. Reduces cracking and yellowing under UV and high-temperature exposure. Improved processing and handling properties.

Polyester Polyols

• Wanthanol® WHP-H6 series (Wanhua Chemical): Polyester polyols for high-performance polyurethane elastomers, coatings and adhesives. Key properties: superior hydrolysis resistance (validated at 80 °C / 7-day immersion test), excellent transparency and high mechanical strength.

• Capa® L (Ingevity): Next-generation sustainable polycaprolactone polyols for polyurethane adhesives. Enhanced biodegradation rate, liquid at room temperature, EU food-contact compliant. Applications: flexible food packaging, construction and industrial PU adhesives. Delivers tougher, more durable, flexible and resistant products with improved end-of-life profile.

Wetting Additive

• BRB Siloen® WA 264 (BRB International): Hydrolytically stable substrate wetting additive based on polyether siloxane technology. pH-stable across pH 4–10 without surface tension degradation. Designed for adhesives, water-based coatings, overprint varnishes and printing inks. No foam stabilisation, no impact on intercoat adhesion (recoatability), no increase in surface slip.

• SASOLWAX LC100: 35% lower product carbon footprint (cradle-to-gate) versus benchmark; ISO 14067 verified.
• BYK-1693 SD: 54% biobased carbon content; effective in hybrid mineral-dispersion systems.
• Pearlbond ECO 590 HMS: Up to 59% bio content; high temperature and hydrolysis resistance; toluene-free.
• Wanthanol WHP-H6: Hydrolysis resistance confirmed at 80 °C for 7 days; superior transparency and mechanical strength.
• Amphi Sophorolipids: Lowest residual oleochemical and free fatty acid content in the sophorolipid market segment; TSCA-listed for U.S. commercial use.

• Global and U.S. chemical production indices both showed positive recovery in late 2024, with specialty materials and basic chemicals leading gains.
• Innovation is driven by regulatory requirements (REACH, Prop 65, EU food-contact, ECHA SVHC) and growing customer demand for clean-label, bio-based and carbon-reduced formulations.
• The clear industry direction is towards drop-in, sustainable alternatives that allow formulators to reduce Scope 3 emissions and meet ESG commitments without process or performance disruption.