After years of research and development, bio-based chemicals and materials technology breakthrough, the early existence of higher production costs, performance is not high enough lead to limited range of applications has been significantly improved, coupled with its environmental advantages, this products in the market increasingly competitive. This year, global investment activities in the field more and more heat at the same time, more and more giant to speed up the pace of commercialization of such projects, a long hard look after the harvest.
Currently the use of renewable raw materials production line succinate, isobutyl alcohol, n-butanol and other chemicals, the production costs with the ability to compete with the oil line, such projects become investment hot spot in the field. According to reports, DSM, BASF, Myriant and BioAmber recently have announced plans to build several world-scale production of bio-based succinic acid plant.
BioAmber company announced in September, at Lanxess Sarnia, Ontario, Canada to construct a commercial-scale plant of succinic acid project is expected in 2013. The company also plans to build a succinic acid plant in Thailand, Bangkok PTTMCC biological supply company, plans to put into operation in 2014, and thus the production of poly butylene succinate ester (PBS) resin.
DSM and its partners are currently Cassano Spinola, Italy to construct a production capacity of 10,000 tons / year of succinic acid plant, is expected to put into the second half of next year. BASF and Barcelona, ​​Spain, Purac's also building a 25,000 tons / year succinic acid plant, test run in 2013.
In anticipation of bio-based chemicals market outlook, many large chemical companies have established a bio-based chemical production base. BASF began producing polyester use of biological materials, Copper Chromite(CC) surfactants and lubricants. DSM in addition to production of bio-based plastics and biomedical coatings, but also plans to build bio-based succinic acid and adipic acid project. DuPont products, including biological materials 1,3 - propylene glycol, polyols and polyethylene terephthalate (PTT) resin. Brazil's National Chemical Corporation (Braskem) used in the local production of sugar cane ethanol as raw materials polyethylene. The Dow Chemical Company recently announced that it will in Brazil to build their own bio-based polyethylene plant.
Myriant company earlier this year with David technology company (DPT) has signed a memorandum of understanding, will use DPT's bio-based 1,4 - butanediol, tetrahydrofuran and γ-butyrolactone technology. Myriant company currently researching and China National Bluestar (Group) Corporation in the construction of bio-based succinic acid project in Nanjing, in addition to Thailand's PTT International chemical company with co-succinic acid building projects in Southeast Asia.
Have a process to produce bio-based direct method 1,4 - butanediol technology Genomatica recently with Japan's Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation signed a memorandum of understanding. Under the agreement, Triphenyl Bismuth the two sides will establish joint venture to build a commercial-scale bio-based 1,4 - butanediol plant. Genomatica company also plans in the United States in 2014 to world-scale BDO plant put into operation. In addition, the company also intends to work with European partners, the construction of such projects in Europe.
In addition, some products due to higher production costs, taking the oil line, facing a biological alternative to the situation. Such as isobutanol, as a carbon four chemicals, can be directly used as a solvent and gasoline blending components for sale or further used to produce butene. Gevo's currently in the United States is promoting Redfield, South Dakota and Minnesota commercial projects - with sugar as raw materials to produce low-cost isobutanol. The two devices are expected end of 2012 production. Gevo has also recently with Mansfield Oil Company and Sasol signed an underwriting agreement, Sasol will be underwriting the company Gevo 2012 and 2013 most of the biological isobutanol product.
With the same company Gevo, Amyris companies are committed to fuels and chemicals, biological development and production. Amyris has recently signed an agreement with Total SA, will farnesene as the raw materials to produce diesel fuel. The company also will work with other chemical companies and consumer products companies, Musk R-1 the use of biological production of cosmetics, lubricants, raw materials and other personal care products.
N-butanol can be used as a solvent or production of butene and butadiene, fine chemicals suppliers with the production of bio-butanol technology Cobalt technology companies, and Rhodia in Latin America recently signed a bagasse as raw material for the construction of n-butanol refinery MOU. It is understood, Cobalt Technologies biological butanol cost competitive technology, as technology continues to improve, the cost of production than petroleum feedstock n-butanol 60% cheaper. Source:http://www.mhcfm.com