PROFORMA FOR ANNUAL R&D PROGRAMME OF PCSIR

(Financial Year 2024-25)

Name of the Laboratory Chemical Pilot Plant, PCSIR Labs Complex, Peshawar
/Center/Unit:
Title of the Project: Synthesis of Unsaturated Polyester Resin (UPR) by Waste PET
Name & Designation of Project Dr. Waheed-ur-Rehman, (Senior Engineer)
Leader:
Name & Designation of Project Engr. Umar Arif (Techician) – MEDICen Project
Associate(s):
Area(s) of Research: Production of Polyester Resin
Duration: 1 year
Research Highlights:  In the present project, low-cost and quality polyester
resin will be prepared as there no such industry in KP
for domestic use of unsaturated resins.
 The polyester resin will be made from chemical
transformation of polyethylene terephthatale (PET)
waste.
 This work also helps to reduce the environmental
pollution by the use of waste soft drink bottles and
plastics (PET waste).
 The reaction parameters like ratio of the reactants,
temperature, stirring rate and utilities consumption etc.
will be optimized.
 The prepared resin will be characterized for its
applications because of low weight, corrosion resistant
and non-ferric materials and cheaper.
Efforts will be made to make a cost-effective product that will
meet the demand of composite materials is increasing
rapidly as the technology has shifted from ferric materials.
Funding Agency: Name of Funding Agency Amount
Federal PSDP:
MoST R&D Funding:
SGI Funding of PCSIR:
RD&I Programme of PCSIR
Pakistan Science Foundation
(PSF):
International agency:
(Please mention specific name)
Any other funding agency:

Graphical Abstract:
Project Outcome w.r.t Socio-
economic Development of the
Country:
(Please mention specific name)
Mostly polyester resin is being produced by the condensation
reaction of glycol and acid. Phthalic acid, maleic anhydride and
propylene glycol are raw materials for virgin reaction.
In this R & D work, polyethylene terephthatale (PET) waste
will be replaced with phthalic acid which will reduce the 10 to 15
% cost and the pollution by the use of waste bottles and plastic.
Firstly, PET waste treatment required before to use. After
washing, PET waste will be crushed. Waste crushed PET, maleic
anhydride and propylene glycol are raw materials. After the
reaction, styrene will be blend with the resultant polyester resin
in the ratio 1:2 to 1:3 as per requirement.
 Instead of virgin reaction, polyethylene terephthatale
(PET) waste will be used, that will help in saving
foreign exchange as well as provide an opportunity to
reduce the environmental pollution produced by waste
bottles and plastic.
 Polyester resin developed in PCSIR will be an
economical options for the local consumers as there no
such industry in KP for domestic use of unsaturated
resins.