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By Christiana Briddell, Portfolio Manager, Communications, ACS GCI, and Isamir Martinez, Sr. Scientific Alliances and Business Engagement Manager, ACS GCI
Natural polymers such as cellulose, silk, rubber, and fruit pectin have been used by humans for thousands of years. However, 20th-century industries turned to more readably available and versatile petrochemicals as a feedstock, and materials research turned in step to synthetic polymers and plastics. A boon of these new, modern materials diverted scientific attention and left natural polymers generally under-explored.
Today, natural polymers are of high interest as biobased feedstocks, materials, packaging, and consumer product industries, among others, seek innovative functional materials with improved sustainability profiles. To catalyze the sustainable development, production, and application of these materials through research, discussion, evaluation, and advocacy, the ACS Green Chemistry Institute (GCI) has launched the Natural Polymers Consortium (NPC).
Founding members are Colgate-Palmolive, International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF), MonoSol, and Procter & Gamble (P&G), as well as founding affiliate member RockyTech. The first co-chairs of the Consortium are Jun Wang, Ph.D., Colgate-Palmolive, and Matthew Wagner, Ph.D., P&G.
The NPC has been forming over the past year with interested parties participating in several virtual and in-person meetings to scope out the framework and focus of the collaboration. During this time, several symposia have been held at ACS National Meetings and the Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference, as well as an ACS Webinar, “Harnessing the Power of Natural Polymers: Innovation Opportunities for Circular Materials.”
Organizations interested in exploring the use of natural polymers to accelerate the development of more sustainable functional materials are welcome and should contact gciroundtables@acs.org for additional membership information.