Econic Technologies Develops CO2-Based Polyols for Polyurethane Dispersions with Up to 30% Carbon Footprint Reduction
UK-based Econic Technologies has announced the commercial readiness of its patented catalyst technology for producing polyols that incorporate captured carbon dioxide into polyurethane dispersions. The process, which replaces a portion of fossil-based raw materials with renewable carbon from CO2, achieves up to 30% reduction in product carbon footprint while delivering performance equivalent to or better than conventional polyol systems.
Founded in 2012 as a spin-out from Imperial College London, Econic has developed a proprietary catalyst and process platform that enables the copolymerisation of CO2 with epoxides to produce polycarbonate ether polyols. These polyols serve as direct drop-in replacements for conventional polyether or polyester polyols in polyurethane formulations, requiring no changes to existing manufacturing equipment or supply chains.
The technology targets the coatings, adhesives, sealants, and elastomers (CASE) markets, as well as automotive, construction, furniture, and apparel applications where polyurethane dispersions are widely used. Econic licenses its catalyst and process know-how to polyol manufacturers, who then supply the CO2-based polyols to downstream formulators and end-users.
“We offer a patented process based on a unique catalyst that replaces fossil-based raw materials with renewable carbon,” the company states. “We license our technology to polyols and surfactants manufacturers that supply some of the world’s most iconic consumer brands.”
The environmental and performance proposition rests on several pillars. First, the incorporation of CO2 — up to 30% by weight in the polyol backbone — directly reduces the fossil carbon content of the final polyurethane product. Second, the process operates at lower temperatures and pressures than conventional polyol production, yielding energy savings. Third, the resulting polycarbonate ether polyols impart enhanced properties to polyurethane dispersions, including improved hydrolytic stability, chemical resistance, and mechanical performance.
Econic’s catalyst system is based on a tunable metal-organic framework that selectively promotes the alternating copolymerisation of CO2 and epoxides. The catalyst tolerates industrial-grade CO2 streams, enabling integration with carbon capture infrastructure at cement plants, steel mills, and chemical production facilities. The company reports that the process is cost-competitive with incumbent polyol technologies at commercial scale.
The technology has been validated through multiple joint development agreements with major chemical companies and polyol producers. Applications demonstrated include waterborne polyurethane dispersions for wood coatings, textile coatings, and automotive interior components. In each case, the CO2-based polyols met or exceeded the performance specifications of the fossil-based benchmarks they replaced.
Econic’s commercial strategy focuses on licensing rather than manufacturing. The company provides catalyst supply, process engineering support, and technical service to licensees, who integrate the technology into their existing polyol production facilities. This asset-light model enables rapid scaling without the capital intensity of building new plants.
The company, headquartered at Alderley Park, Macclesfield, has secured investment from a syndicate including the European Investment Bank, Infinity Recycling, and several strategic corporate investors. In 2026, Econic was recognised with a Cleantech Group award for its contribution to carbon utilisation technologies.
The development arrives as EU and global policy frameworks increasingly reward carbon utilisation. The EU’s Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) framework, the US Inflation Reduction Act’s 45Q tax credit enhancements for CCU, and emerging product carbon footprint regulations in major economies create tailwinds for technologies that convert waste CO2 into value-added materials.
Industry analysts note that polyols represent a particularly attractive entry point for CO2 utilisation due to their high volume — global polyol demand exceeds 20 million tonnes annually — and the direct substitution potential. Unlike some CCU pathways that produce niche chemicals, polyols feed into the massive polyurethane value chain, offering a scalable route to meaningful carbon abatement.
Econic is now expanding its technology platform beyond polyols into surfactants, where CO2-based building blocks can similarly replace fossil-derived feedstocks in detergent and personal care applications. The company’s long-term vision encompasses a portfolio of carbon-utilising catalysts that enable the chemical industry to transition from fossil to renewable carbon across multiple product categories.
Source: Econic Technologies company communications, June 2026; bioplastics MAGAZINE, June 2026.