Progress in bio-based polyurethanes - footwearbiz: Leading site for gl

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Progress in bio-based polyurethanes

08/08/2025
Progress in bio-based polyurethanes
Algenesis Labs has announced the launch of a new product, Bio-Iso, an isocyanate, which is said to be used in the production of polyurethane. The company established in 2016 and based in San Diego (the technology and founders have links to UC San Diego), first developed a biodegradable TPU, Soleic, made from plant-based oils, such as algae, which has reached commercial scale. 

A pilot plant for Bio-Iso has been commissioned and the manufacturing method is said to avoid phosgene, which requires special precautions, thus offering a safer and more flexible pathway to the chemical compound. It is currently producing 1 kg per day, a co-founder told Chemical Engineering, a trade publication. 

Algenesis claims that the carbon present in its Bio-Iso is entirely biogenic, meaning derived from plant-based feedstocks, and that it is biodegradable as well. Among the many markets for polyurethanes, the company has spotlighted its possible use in waterproof-breathable membranes for outdoor apparel.

Photo shows a pair of Blueview sneakers from 2022, at the launch of the brand co-founded by Stephen Mayfield who is also a co-founder of Algenesis. 
 

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