Monument Chemical recently became the first U.S. manufacturer to produce polyols from captured carbon, launching a new product line called Poly-CO₂® at our Brandenburg, Kentucky facility. Built on Econic Technologies’ renewable carbon platform, this breakthrough replaces fossil-based feedstocks with CO₂ – reducing global warming potential by up to 30% while delivering the same (or better) performance customers expect.

We sat down with Monument Oxides business leaders, Don Phillips, Vice President, Rob Einterz, Business Development Manager, and Deb Schofner, Sales Director, to talk about what this launch means for the polyurethane industry, how the partnership with Econic came to life, and what’s next for this innovative new product line.

What does the launch of Poly-CO₂ mean for the polyurethane industry right now? What problem or gap does it help solve?

DON: The polyurethane industry has been around for a long time, and it’s been traditionally dominated by large players and mature technologies, so real innovation has been rare. This launch helps break that cycle. It shows that new ideas can be commercialized, that the industry is still capable of reinventing itself, and that chemistry can continue to get better for both people and the planet.

ROB: From a technical standpoint, Poly-CO₂ opens up more formulation possibilities. It gives customers another tool in the toolbox – a way to fine-tune performance, whether they’re after more flexibility, durability, or resilience. And of course, it brings additional sustainability into a segment that’s constantly looking to innovate. Instead of relying on fossil-based ingredients, we’re adding CO₂ that would otherwise go into the atmosphere and turning it into something valuable.

Many companies are trying to reduce their environmental impact without sacrificing performance. How does Poly-CO₂ help them do that?

ROB: What “performance” means depends entirely on the formulation and product. A mattress manufacturer cares about softness and rebound. Someone making a coating might want hardness and durability. Poly-CO₂ gives formulators a new way to meet those needs – and maybe fill a gap that’s currently missing in their systems – without a major process change.

DEB: It’s also a way for companies to strengthen the sustainability story behind their products. They can show that they’re not just offsetting carbon, they’re using it – keeping it in circulation, in a high-performance product that people use every day.

How did the partnership between Monument and Econic Technologies come about, and what made Econic’s approach stand out?

DEB: Our relationship with The Heritage Group (THG) helped make this partnership possible. Monument is part of the THG family of companies, and through HG Ventures, we were introduced to Econic – a great example of how THG’s network helps bring like-minded innovators together.

DON: From day one, we were impressed by the Econic team – not just the science, but also their mindset. They’re pragmatic innovators who are deeply committed to turning hard-to-scale ideas into reality. Their renewable carbon process fits naturally with Monument’s capabilities and infrastructure, so it made sense to combine forces. It’s really the best of both worlds: Econic’s cutting-edge chemistry and Monument’s experience in scaling up safely, efficiently, and reliably.

What did Monument learn through this process that will help accelerate future innovation?

DON: We’ve learned that scaling up new technology is about much more than the chemistry. It’s about how the market responds, how it integrates with existing systems, and how it behaves in the real world – from safety to supply chain to performance in different formulations.

ROB: What this experience reinforced is that success in innovation depends on partnerships, open communication, and a willingness to adapt. We had to balance scientific and engineering precision with flexibility and speed. That approach – and the infrastructure we’ve now built to support it – will absolutely help us bring future sustainable technologies to market faster.

In which applications do you expect customers to see the biggest impact?

ROB: We see exciting opportunities where customers want the best of both worlds – the flexibility of polyether and the toughness of polycarbonate. That includes coatings, adhesives, textile coatings, protective films, and exterior finishes.

DEB: Right now, this is still a niche product, but it’s one that fits Monument’s strength perfectly. We’ve always been a company willing to take smart risks. In an industry that can be pretty conservative, we’re proud to be one of the teams stepping out on the diving board to show what’s possible across a range of segments.

How are you helping customers transition to renewable carbon materials with minimal process disruption?

ROB: The good news is that customers don’t need to overhaul their systems to use Poly-CO₂. They can continue using their standard surfactants and catalysts, just as they would with conventional polyether. That makes adoption much smoother.

DEB: Beyond that, we’re providing hands-on application support – sample formulations, technical guidance, and collaboration at every step. And thanks to our partnership with Econic, customers get the combined expertise of both teams. Whether it’s fine-tuning performance, adjusting ratios, or troubleshooting processing behavior, we’re here to make sure it works exactly the way they need it to.

What’s next for the Poly-CO₂ line as you scale from pilot to commercial production?

ROB: This pilot launch is just the beginning. We already have a strong pipeline of new products in development – different molecular weights, varying CO₂ content, and tailored functionalities that will give customers even more flexibility.

DEB: Our goal is to build out a full family of renewable carbon polyols that can serve a wide range of polyurethane applications. Over time, that means moving from niche to mainstream – and helping the industry make meaningful progress toward circularity and lower-carbon materials.

What’s one thing you hope the industry takes away from this launch?

ROB: That innovation in chemistry is alive and well. Monument has a long history of solving complex challenges and helping customers bring new ideas to market – and this launch is a continuation of that legacy.

DON: We don’t do it for headlines. We do it because the world needs companies willing to take calculated risks, invest in sustainable technology, and prove that it can be done at scale. Chemistry touches every part of our lives, and it’s up to all of us to make sure it keeps moving in the right direction – toward performance, responsibility, and progress.