Bioresins

Bioresins are resins derived from renewable biological resources and used as alternatives to conventional petroleum-based resins in coatings, adhesives, and composites. They encompass both biobased resins, where the polymer backbone is derived from renewable feedstocks, and biodegradable resins, which are designed to break down by natural or industrial processes. Some materials meet both criteria, being biobased and biodegradable.

Common sources include vegetable oils (such as castor, soybean, and linseed oils), rosin and tall oil, cashew nutshell liquid, lignin, and sugars or starch derivatives. These feedstocks are converted into resins via processes such as epoxidation, transesterification, condensation, or polymerization to form epoxies, alkyds, polyurethanes, acrylics, phenolics, or polyesters. In practice, bioresins are used as matrix materials in fiber-reinforced composites, as coatings and varnishes, and as printing photopolymers.

Performance and sustainability considerations: biobased content does not automatically guarantee biodegradability or lower environmental impact; life cycle assessments depend on feedstock sourcing, processing, and end-of-life. Many bioresins aim to reduce fossil carbon input and improve renewability, but issues such as supply consistency, cost, and matching the performance of conventional resins can limit adoption. Market growth is supported by standards and certification for renewable content and, in some cases, biodegradability.