POLYURETHANE FORMULATION USING PROTEIN-BASED MATERIAL

1 . A method for preparing a polyol useful in preparing a polyurethane comprising:

mixing a protein-based precursor material with a solvent to form the polyurethane.

2 . The method of claim 1 wherein the solvent is water.

3 . The method of claim 1 wherein the protein-based precursor material is an animal protein or vegetable protein.

4 . The method of claim 3 wherein the protein-based precursor material is egg white.

5 . A process for the preparation of polyurethane comprising the steps of:

providing an A-side component comprising an isocyanate;

providing a protein-based precursor material;

mixing the protein-based precursor material with a solvent to produce a protein-based polyol substitute as a B-side component; and

reacting the A-side component and the B-side component to form a polyurethane.

6 . The process of claim 5 wherein the A-side component is MDI, NDI, TDI or HDI.

7 . The process of claim 5 wherein the protein-based precursor material is an animal protein or a vegetable protein.

8 . The process of claim 7 wherein the protein-based precursor material is egg white.

9 . The process of claim 5 wherein the solvent is water.

10 . The process of claim 5 wherein the A-side:B-side ratio is about 102:100.

11 . A polyurethane foam comprising an isocyanate in combination with a protein-based polyol substitute.

12 . The polyurethane foam of claim 11 wherein the protein-based polyol substitute is prepared by mixing a protein-based precursor material with a solvent.

13 . The polyurethane foam of claim 11 wherein the ratio of isocyanate to protein-based polyol substitute is about 1:1.

14 . The polyurethane foam of claim 11 wherein the protein-based precursor material is an animal protein or vegetable protein.

15 . The polyurethane foam of claim 14 wherein the protein-based precursor material is egg white.