The synthetic and mechanistic organometallic chemistry lab at the University of Virginia (UVA, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; www.virginia.edu) recently announced the development of a catalytic process to convert chemical ethylene for use in lightweight plastics.

Applications include beverage bottles and other widely used consumer and industrial products.

The discovery upgrades ethylene into “higher olefins”, which are then used to produce plastics, synthetic oils, soaps and detergents, dyes, and resins, according to information from UVA. The process, it claims, is “cheaper and cleaner”.

Professor of chemistry Brent Gunnoe and postdoctoral researcher Fanji Kong, who made the discovery, have filed a provisional patent for the technique. The process, according to the university, might have the potential to reduce negative impacts of producing plastics and other products.

Related: Water-based plastics recycling project receives funding

“The conversion of ethylene to higher olefins is practiced on an enormous scale. But the current method of production is resource intensive and a significant contributor of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. Further research will tell us if this UVA innovation can be scaled to help mitigate these negative environmental issues,” said Gunnoe. The industry is valued at about USD 10 bn/y (EUR 9.2 bn/y), the university adds.

US petrochemical company Chevron Phillips Chemical (CP Chem, The Woodlands, Texas; www.cpchem.com) and investment entity Virginia Innovation Partnership are working with UVA to explore the extent of potential energy savings and greenhouse gas reductions, Gunnoe added. 

The Commonwealth Commercialization Fund, administered by the Virginia Innovation Partnership, recently announced its support for the project with a USD 75,000 grant.