Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL) and Derivatives

Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL) is a versatile by-product of the cashew industry and is the pericarp fluid of the cashew nut. It is often considered as the better and cheaper material for unsaturated phenols. The distillation of CNSL produces cardanol, which is considered a pure form. It offers much scope and varied opportunities for the development of other tailor - made polymers.

So in this technology a Biorefinery type approach is proposed for various products and add value to an agricultural by-product.

CNSL has innumerable applications in polymer-based industries such as friction linings, paints and varnishes, laminating resins, rubber compounding resins, cashew cements, polyurethane based polymers, surfactants, epoxy resins, foundry chemicals and intermediates for chemical industry.

The products offer better water resistance and mechanical properties. Being biobased the products are environment friendly. India is one of the major producer of cashew nut shell liquid.