A groundbreaking new research study has discovered a new catalyst that could potentially replace the use of bisphenol A (BPA), a toxic chemical found in plastics. The catalyst, called lignin, is a natural and abundant polymer that is found in wood and other plant materials. Scientists from the Netherlands have been able to use lignin to create a polycarbonate, which is a type of plastic used in many everyday items such as food containers and toys. The process of creating a polycarbonate from lignin requires fewer harsh chemicals and much less energy than the process of creating one from BPA. This is a major breakthrough that could drastically reduce the environmental impact of plastic production.

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source: Phys.org