Plastic growing coming to fruition

A technique that 'grows' plastics easily and cheaply has been developed by Warwick University chemical researchers. Called controlled radical polymerisation, the process has been patented and is being tested by a number of manufacturers for applications as diverse as hairspray, anti-obesity drugs and inkjet printer ink.

Previously, 'designer-polymers' could only be synthesised by resorting to expensive sub-zero temperatures, extremely pure solvents and a variety of chemicals.

Professor David Haddleton and his team use a combination of a copper catalyst and a particular type of ligand giving a number of benefits. Production of complex polymers to specific designs under precise control, unlike conventional polymerisation techniques employed in most laboratories, is inert to many types of chemical reaction so it can be used for items in a wide variety of environments.

There is no need for expensive sub-zero temperatures and the process does not require expensive solvents and other pure chemicals.

Professor Haddleton's company, called Warwick Effect Polymers, is already producing polymers for high-value applications such as inkjet printer ink, hairspray, shampoo, adhesives, pharmaceuticals, biomaterials and medical devices for large commercial clients.