Palm Oil Polyols

Refined palm oil is a white or light yellow semi-solid with a relative density (15/15℃) of 0.921–0.925. Its melting point is 27–50℃. The iodine value is 40–58 g/100g. The main components are triglycerides of palmitic acid and oleic acid. The double bonds in the molecular structure are epoxidized and hydroxylated to obtain palm oil polyols. Epoxidized palm oil reacts with small molecule polyols under catalytic conditions to produce palm oil polyols, whose hydroxyl value depends on the type of polyol used.

Malaysia is the world’s largest producer of palm oil, and researchers in the country have modified palm oil to produce a series of palm oil polyols, promoting the utilization of renewable resources.

Maskimi Polyol Sdn Bhd, a Malaysian company, offers some palm oil polyol products suitable for replacing some polyether polyols in the production of polyurethane foam.

Wansern Foam Industry Sdn Bhd, a Malaysian polyurethane block foam manufacturer, announced in 2008 the development of palm oil polyols and polyurethane foam. The palm oil polyol is branded Natura. One product’s technical specifications are: appearance: brownish-yellow liquid, slightly typical palm oil odor; hydroxyl value: 170–200 mg KOH/g; viscosity (35℃): 3500–4500 mPa·s; pH: 6.5–7.5; acid value: ≤3 mg KOH/g; relative density: 0.95–0.98; moisture content: ≤0.30%.