Enzymatic and chemical synthesis of metropolitan vegetable oil-based monohydroxylated fatty acids and polyesters thereof – ERMONES

ERMONES project aims at investigating enzymatic and chemical pathways for the synthesis of C22 monohydroxylated fatty acids from metropolitan vegetable oil. They will be further used as functional precursors for the synthesis of polymers. This biobased building block, obtained from erucic acid, could be used as a substitute for 12-hydroxystearic acid (mono-hydroxylated acid saturated with 18 carbons). Erucic acid does not present a hydroxyl group on its fatty chain naturally as it basically is a chain of 22 carbons, bearing an unsaturation in position 13. The first step of the project will consist in obtaining a hydroxyl function on the fatty chain either in position 13 or 14 or even at the very end of the alkyl chain (omega position). To do so, both chemical and enzymatic pathways will be investigated. This bulding block will subsequently be used to develop amphiphilic structures and polyester polyols for detergents, additives and materials markets, among others. In the last phase of the project, ITERG will formulate proofs of concept in order to provide information on the application properties so that downstream companies can match the synthesized products with the appropriate application the best way possible. More importantly, the feedbacks from these companies should allow possible optimisation and/or development of novel structures. A technical-economic study and an environmental assessment will also complete this data package and allow us to assess the potential impacts of the biobased products designed during the project. The final purpose is to transition from ideation towards industrialization the simplest possible way . Based on these evaluations, a scale-up of the most promising products will be carried out by ITERG in order to provide samples to potential customers. In addition to fostering the development of new biobased products, this project aims at investigating a sustainable strategy, based on a 100% enzymatic route, concurrently to the chemical route.