Bio-Based Lactones Emerge as Key Building Blocks for Circular Polymer Economy
Scientists are developing innovative catalytic processes to transform bio-based feedstocks into lactones, essential monomers for circular polyesters. These advances could enable complete chemical recycling of plastics while reducing reliance on fossil carbon resources. The research highlights both direct and indirect pathways to create these sustainable building blocks.
Catalytic Breakthroughs Enable Sustainable Lactone Production
Researchers are making significant progress in developing bio-based lactones as fundamental building blocks for a circular polymer economy, according to recent analysis in Nature Reviews Chemistry. These specialized compounds are reportedly emerging as ideal monomers for creating polyesters that can be completely chemically recycled, addressing one of the major challenges in plastic sustainability.
