Green Chemistry deal for plastics and fibers

Monday, January 16th 2012 10:03am
By Matthew Thornton, Polymers

The producer of bioplastics Novara Novamont has acquired the plant Bioitalia Adria Rovigo, which will be converted to the production of 1,4-butanediol (BDO) from renewable resources as part of the cooperation agreement signed last September with Genomatica.

The plant, in the intentions of both partners, should start producing bio-BDO in the middle of 2013 with a capacity of around 20 thousand tons per year.

The operation was conducted by Mater-Biotech, a company founded by Novamont in order to acquire the business operations of Bioitalia and start the project site for the conversion of Rovigo. The project is part of the strategy to reposition the green chemistry Novamont settlements abandoned or discontinued operations, such as the petrochemical plant at Porto Torres (with ENI joint venture in the matrix) or Terni, with the polypropylene plant being dismantled LyondellBasell. Where will it go? The intermediate from renewable resources will be partly used by Genomatica in part and also by Novamont in the production of Mater-Bi, in place of BDO by fossil fuels currently used for the synthesis of polyester used in combination with starches.

In the future, a source says the technology platform based BDO could be used for the formulation of new bioplastics. The U.S. Genomatica is active in our country through the partnership agreement in April last year with M & G Mossi (G & M): The project, in this case, the development process and a second-generation technology platform based on Proesa of Chemtex used in the production of 1.4 butanediol starting cellulosic biomass not competing with the food.

The two projects, marching in parallel, make Italy one of the main centers of development and production of bio-based BDO worldwide. What materials will they produce? The 1, 4 butanediol is an intermediate chemical used in various sectors, including the production of plastics (polyester and TPU) and synthetic fibers.

The potential market is estimated at 4 billion dollars. The system of Adria (ex Ajinomoto) in the past produced lysine.

The intention of Novamont, the 27 employees, 17 of them in layoffs, return to work under the Mater-Biotech.

Another thirty or so workers could be hired in the coming years once put the plant at full capacity. Follow the Materials KTN Polymers Group on Twitter

Source: Polymers KTN

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