Rethinking Epoxy Resin: Why It’s Time To Move Beyond Petroleum-Based Solutions
Epoxy resin is a staple in industries ranging from construction to furniture design.
Praised for its durability, versatility and strength, it can be used for countless applications. However, most conventional epoxy resins are derived from petroleum. Petroleum is a non-renewable resource whose extraction and processing contribute heavily to carbon emissions, pollution, and long-term ecological harm. Additionally, many epoxy products release toxic compounds during use and curing, which can have an impact on human health. As awareness grows around these issues, a shift is underway. Innovators and manufacturers are exploring less toxic alternatives that promise the same performance. In this article, we’ll examine the problems with petroleum-based epoxy resins and highlight the emerging sustainable solutions that are redefining or replacing epoxy resin.
The problem with traditional epoxy resins
- Petroleum-Derived and Resource-Intensive - Traditional epoxy resins are made from petroleum-based raw materials such as epichlorohydrin and bisphenol A (BPA). These ingredients rely on fossil fuel extraction and processing, which are not only energy-intensive but also contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. As a non-renewable resource, petroleum’s use in mass-produced materials like epoxy is fundamentally not sustainable in the long term.
- Toxic Chemical Composition - One of the main ingredients in conventional epoxy resin (BPA) is a synthetic compound linked to a range of health issues. These include hormone disruption, reproductive toxicity, and developmental problems. Even trace exposure over time can have cumulative effects, especially in poorly ventilated indoor environments.
- Indoor Air Quality -.During both application and curing, epoxy resins can emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are airborne pollutants harmful to human health. VOC exposure can lead to respiratory irritation, headaches, dizziness, and even long-term neurological or organ damage with repeated contact. This is especially concerning in interior settings, where poor air circulation can amplify the risk.
- Not Biodegradable and Difficult to Recycle - Once cured, epoxy resin forms a thermoset plastic which is a material that cannot be remelted or reformed. This makes recycling nearly impossible using conventional methods. As a result, most epoxy waste ends up in landfills, where it persists for decades or longer without breaking down. Its chemical stability, once seen as a benefit, becomes a serious drawback when considering lifecycle impact.
Introducing bio-based epoxy resins
The good news is that a shift is already underway. As the environmental and health costs of petroleum-based materials become more widely recognised designers and manufacturers are beginning to adopt more sustainable alternatives. These innovative materials are formulated using renewable, plant-derived feedstocks rather than crude oil, marking a significant step toward cleaner, greener production. Bio-based epoxy resins work by replacing part of the traditional petrochemical components with bio-based inputs such as syringaldehyde, a compound extracted from lignin found in plant matter. By lowering reliance on fossil fuels and significantly lowering carbon emissions during production, bio-resins help reduce environmental impact while also supporting safer manufacturing, use, and disposal practices.
Current Use & Challenges
While the transition to bio-based epoxy resins is gaining momentum, several challenges remain on the path to widespread adoption. Most commercially available bio-resins today still rely on hybrid formulations which combine bio-derived components with traditional synthetic ingredients. Achieving a fully bio-based epoxy system, with 100% renewable content, remains a complex and ongoing pursuit. This is due in part to the technical demands of epoxy performance: matching the strength, curing behavior, chemical resistance, and thermal stability of petroleum-based resins requires extensive research and material innovation. Regulatory standards, lack of consumer awareness, and limited industry infrastructure also contribute to slower adoption. So what is achievable with bio resin?
At Materials Assemble, our commitment to sustainable design is already shaping the future of interior materials. We've developed high-end, fully functional pieces using bio-based epoxy resin. They show a significant improvement over conventional petroleum-based epoxies by reducing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and partially replacing fossil-derived ingredients with bio-sourced alternatives. These new-generation materials offer the same durability, strength, and sophisticated finish that designers and clients expect, but with a lighter environmental footprint and fewer health risks. Our surfaces maintain excellent scratch and stain resistance, and they’re easy to care for as they require only gentle, neutral cleaners.
Towards 100% Non-Toxic, Circular Materials
At Materials Assemble, we believe the path forward is clear: eliminate toxic, fossil-based resins from our interiors and replace them with plant-powered, low-impact alternatives that support both human health and environmental integrity. While today’s bio-resins are not yet perfect as most still contain a blend of synthetic and renewable components, we see them as a crucial step in the right direction. We're actively investing in next-generation material solutions: advancing higher bio-content formulations, pushing from 40–60% toward near-total plant composition; developing thermally stable, recyclable resin systems that support circular use; and collaborating with bio-chemists, researchers, and material scientists to create high-performance, safe, and certified alternatives. The future of design is not only beautiful and functional but it’s also responsible.
