Green chemistries for use as electrical insulation

In August of 2021, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said that a recent report published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is a "code red for humanity." Adding that "This report must sound a death knell for coal and fossil fuels, before they destroy our planet… Countries should also end all new fossil fuel exploration and production, and shift fossil fuel subsidies into renewable energy." Of course, Secretary Guterres wasn’t too concerned about the use of fossil fuels to produce epoxy or polyurethane resins for dielectric compounds, clearly, he was speaking about the burning of fossil fuels for energy production and transportation. However, those of us in the industry will recognize that the search for materials from renewable resources is fast becoming an industry standard. Scientists across the globe are exploring alternatives to hydrocarbon feedstocks for producing polymers, fibers and other critical raw materials. Here we will examine the status of that exploration to determine feasibility and take a look at some new materials and compare their performance to existing systems. Then we will revisit an existing chemistry, in production for nearly three-quarters of a century; manufactured from the most abundant substance on the planet and already nearly free from fossil fuels - silicones. Finally, to complete the cycle, we will take some of these "green chemistries" and investigate where they may apply in the applications of today’s climate.