Phase change material 60 is used in battery thermal management and industrial heating systems to increase the thermal potential of heat management systems when capacity is limited. Peak thermal loads can be managed more effectively, and heat can be recovered to be used elsewhere. In passenger cars, heat can be reused to heat the cabin, whilst in buildings heat can be used to heat offices if HVAC systems have excess stored heat. It is ideal for use in energy storage, electronics, automotive, heat recovery and temperature-controlled packaging. It has low flammability, a high renewable carbon content and is expected to be readily biodegradable.