Resins are solid or very viscous substances that can have their origin from plants, some animals but also from synthetic production. Resins can be converted into a wide variety of polymers and serve as raw materials in many applications. Resins are typically mixtures of different terpenes. Resins from conifers, such as rosin, usually have the molecular formula C20H30O2 and consist of resin acids such as abietic acid, pimaric acid and levopimaric acid. Resin acids have multiple functions in plants, including protection against pests, mechanical damage, and climatic variations.
Natural resins are produced by plants. They create a protective layer when the plant is wounded and protect the plant from insects or germs. Tree resins are harvested from plantations specially planted for this purpose and then processed. Balsam resins, for example, then come from this production.
Another type of production is the de-resination of already sawn wood or even root wood. These resins are then called tall resins or root resins.
Insects can also produce certain resins, such as the well-known shellac. Shellac is secreted by a louse as a secretion. Since shellac is a natural product, it is used in cosmetic products, among other things.
Resins can occur in their natural form but also in purified (distilled) form. For example, balsamic resin is produced from coniferous tree resin, which is a resin purified from volatile components (terpenes) and impurities. This resin is also called rosin or colophony or gum rosin.
Resins are used in a wide variety of applications. Resins are tackifiers in many adhesives, on adhesive plasters they are used in the adhesive layer but they can also be used in depilatory waxes. Modified resins are also used as raw materials in paper production or even in tire production, they are used in painting, in lacquers and even in food (e.g. chewing gum production, production of stable emulsions for the beverage industry etc.).
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