(93f) 1,3 Propanediol: Innovation Leading to a More Sustainable Polymer

Shell's newly commercialized route to 1,3-propanediol via ethylene oxide hydroformylation provides a cost effective route to polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT), offering improved product performance and reduced environmental footprint relative to conventional nylon. Highlights of the PDO process innovation are presented, along with elements of the life cycle analysis used to assess sustainability aspects of the process development and project justification.