UK-based chemical distributor Bowden Chemicals has been awarded a government grant to develop unsaturated polyester resins (UPR) made from bio-based materials.
The company, which supplies raw materials for the polyester resin and phenolic resin industries, aims to develop a UPR over the next 18 months that matches the performance of fossil-based resins while containing more than 50pc renewable content.
UPRs are hard, thermosetting resins used in the construction sector.
The grant was awarded through the UK government's "Smart Grant" scheme, administered by innovation agency Innovate UK. The amount of funding has not been disclosed.