A team of researchers led by Fiona L. Hatton from Loughborough University presents a new synthesis pathway for bio-based polymers based on fatty acids. Hydrophobic acrylamide monomers were obtained from four different vegetable oils – including high oleic sunflower oil and hydrogenated coconut oil – by base-catalysed transesterification with N-hydroxyethylacrylamide. Reading tip: Bio-based coatingsThe EC Tech Report “Bio-based Coatings” is a hand-picked compilation of all the key aspects concerning bio-based coatings, offering the latest technical developments. This work marks the first successful RAFT polymerisation directly from plant-based starting materials using single-stage transesterification. The study shows the potential for producing bio-based polymers with a defined structure from renewable raw materials – an important step towards sustainable coating systems.