Plant-based polyols

Plant-based polyols

Thursday, 8 January, 2026

Polyols are typically organic polymeric compounds with a variable number of hydroxyl groups (-OH), hence their name: the term polyol comes from the Greek poly- (many) and the suffix meaning alcohol, i.e. “-ol”.

Unquestionably, the most widespread use of polyols is as precursors of polyurethanes (PUR). This broad group of polymers was invented in the 1930s by Otto Bayer as an alternative to other plastics during the shortage of materials during the wartime period. Over the following decades their use expanded and diversified into a wide range of applications such as insulating foams, adhesives, flooring, coatings, packaging, and so on.

Source: Getty Images. https://www.elespectador.com/la-huerta/para-que-sirve-el-ricino-propiedad-y-usos-de-esta-planta/

Polyols can be synthesised from vegetable oils, such as castor oil, giving them the following advantages:

Non-fossil origin
High compatibility with other resins
Low viscosity, making them easier to formulate and use
High hydrophobicity
Good hydrolysis stability
No VOCs, solvent-free

The hardness of polyols depends on their functionality (OH index): the higher it is, the greater the crosslinking density and therefore the harder and more resistant the material will be. Conversely, the lower the functionality, the more linear the resulting polymer will be and the more flexible the final product.

Various types of polyols according to hardness can be found in ALBODUR, the trade name for Alberdingk Boley’s plant-based polyols marketed by Comindex S.A.

Two examples are shown below:

Albodur 942, for aromatic PUR systems, with high functionality providing a Shore D hardness of 80, making it highly suitable for industrial floors and car parks.
Albodur 1055, for aliphatic PUR systems, provides a Shore D hardness of 40, is stable under UV radiation and is used for the manufacture of decorative floors or transparent and pigmented sealants .

Source: Florian Olivo en Unplash.com

In conclusion, at Comindex S.A. we offer a wide range of naturally derived polyols, obtained from castor oil, with very good compatibility, low viscosity, different hardness levels and optimal performance capabilities.

At Comindex we can support you throughout your process. Simply contact our team of technical sales advisors.

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