Sustainability and Economic Analyses of Triglycerides Catalytic Transesterification with N-Hydroxyethyl Acrylamide to Yield Plant Oil-Based Monomers for Free Radical Polymerization

Using plant oils for the synthesis of biobased acrylic monomers can potentially provide an opportunity for improving the sustainability of polymeric materials. In this study, we employ life cycle (LCA) and techno-economic (TEA) analyses in order to advance environmental performance in catalytic transesterification of plant oil triglycerides and N-hydroxyethyl acrylamide to yield a library of plant oil-based acrylic monomers (POBMs), as well as explore those monomers economic feasibility. Performed for acrylic monomers from soybean oil (SBMs), the LCA model included varying ratios of reagents, alternative catalysts, and solvent recycling stage. Reaction process optimization led to enhanced yield and better environmental performance compared to the originally developed synthetic design. In comparison to the conventional petroleum-based stearyl acrylate, the SBMs demonstrate enhanced environmental indicators in most tested performance categories. Based on the TEA of the SBMs production model process design and scale-up, the minimum selling price of soy-based monomers was estimated and compared to stearyl acrylate to illustrate the SBMs economic potential. Performed uncertainty analysis identifies N-hydroxyethyl acrylamide as the significant impact on the minimum selling price. At the same time, reagents ratio, tax rate, interest rate, and capital cost are shown to be sensitive parameters.