Italian synthetic fibre business Fulgar has launched a new high performance nylon fibre
made from biopolymer extracted from castor oil seed.
The fibre, Evo, is suitable for all applications, particularly, for the sports sector as it is ultra-light, stretchy and easily breathable.
Scientists from Mexico conducted an experiment to evaluate the seed and oil production, yield and quality of biodiesel produced from eleven wild genotypes of castor 
oil plant in Mexico. Seed and oil production was evaluated in experimental plots at field level and the quality of biodiesel produced was also evaluated.
Results showed that the seed production varied between 937.1 kg/ha and 56.3 kg/ha indicating the feasibility to produce castor oil in the north-east region of Mexico. Quality tests conducted for biodiesel showed some potential for use blended with petroleum diesel.
Scientists from Iran have developed a new method to produce biodiesel from cast
or oil without using extra petrochemical methanol. The new method uses bio refinery setup where bioethanol is used instead of fossil-based methanol to produce biodiesel.
Results showed that the optimum biodiesel yield was 85% achieved at a temperature of 62.5°C with an ethanol: oil ratio of 0.29:1.
Researchers from Malaysia conducted an experiment to synthesize castor oil based polyurethane and analyse its potential application as a base material in polymer 
electrolytes. Castor oil polyols were synthesized and mixed with 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate to synthesize the desired biobased polyurethane.
Characteristic studies showed that the synthesized polyurethane had favourable properties and hence could be used as a base material in polymer electrolytes.
Researchers from Israel performed an experiment to synthesize bolaamphiphiles from
castor oil to be used as potential drug delivery systems. Two classes of symmetric and asymmetric bolaamphiphiles with acetyl choline head groups were synthesized and characterized.
Results showed that these compounds self-assembled in aqueous media to form stable cationic nano-sized vesicles which can used as potential drug delivery systems.
Researchers from Spain performed an experiment to analyse post-polymerization modifications of a functional polyester derived from castor oil. 
The aliphatic functional polyester was obtained by enzymatic polycondensation of dimethyl 2,9-dibromosebacate and 1,10-decanediol derived from castor oil.
Results showed that the alkyl halide functionality reacted with thiols, amines and carboxylic acid under mild conditions showing high modification degrees.
Researchers performed an experiment where transesterification of castor oil was done using trimethylchlorosilane as acidic mediator. Two one-pot reactions were observed. One was the transesterification of triglycerides relevant to biodiesel production and the other was the chlorination of glycerol with the formation of α-monochlorohydrin.
Results showed that the two products biodiesel and α-monochlorohydrin were obtained in high quantities and that the synthesis represents a highly sustainable production of industrial commodities from available biomass.
Researchers from Brazil conducted an experiment to evaluate the antimicrobial actions of sodium hypochlorite and castor oil solutions against specific microorganisms. Acrylic 
resin specimens were obtained, sterilized and contaminated with important bacterial and Candida species.
Results showed that sodium hypochlorite solutions completely eliminated all microorganisms while castor oil solution provided moderate efficacy and performed differently on tested species.
Researchers from Spain used castor oil as a matrix material to prepare biocompatible and biodegradable nanocomposite films filled with chitosan modified ZnO nanoparticles for wound healing. The biocomposites were prepared by solution mixing and casting method. The morphology, structure and wound healing properties of the films were analysed. The antibacterial activity of the films were investigated in the presence and absence of UV light.
Results showed that the antibacterial activity was stronger against gram positive bacteria. Composites with nanoparticle loading enabled faster wound healing thus showing the potential to be applied as antibacterial wound dressings.
Researchers from China performed an experiment to synthesize and characterize waterborne nitrocellulose dispersion that was modified with castor oil. Castor oil modified waterborne nitrocellulose dispersion (CWNC) was synthesized by self-emulsification and reaction among isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) trimer, dimethylol propionic acid (DMPA), nitrocellulose (NC) and castor oil.
The characterization of CWNC was carried out with FTIR and thermal gravity analysis (TGA). TGA results showed that CWNC film had better thermal resistance.