What is 1,3-propanediol (PDO)?
Although 1,3-propanediol is a simple organic chemical, unlike other glycols it has historically been a high priced speciality. The high cost and limited availability has restricted its commercial use. A new proprietary process, developed by Shell Chemicals, combined with the economics of a world-scale production unit, allows PDO to be produced cost-efficiently and priced competitively with similar compounds. PDO can now be regarded as a viable industrial chemical intermediate.
Applications
PDO can be formulated into composites, adhesives, laminates, powder and UV-cured coatings, mouldings, novel aliphatic polyesters, copolyesters, solvents, anti-freeze and other end uses. Its most successful application to date has been in the formulation of CORTERRA Polymers, a polytrimethylene terephthalate. CORTERRA Polymers are principally used in the manufacture of carpet and textile fibres but are also finding applications as engineering thermoplastics, films and coatings.
