Alfa Laval, a global leader in heat transfer, centrifugal separation, and fluid handling technologies, and RWDC Industries, a biotechnology company developing biopolymer material solutions, recently signed a joint development agreement to improve equipment development and closed-loop processes used in the manufacture of alternative materials to unsustainable plastics.
The two companies are exploring process-improvement opportunities for biopolymer manufacturing, including equipment refinement to enhance commercial scale production of high-quality and cost-effective biopolymers. The collaboration will leverage Alfa Laval’s expertise in heat-transfer and separation technologies aiming to develop advanced manufacturing practices using RWDC’s proprietary biopolymer production systems.
“I am thrilled by the dynamics of our two innovative companies combining knowledge to accelerate commercialization of tomorrow’s sustainable materials,” says Karin Forsberg, President BU Energy Separation at Alfa Laval. “This collaboration allows us to take a holistic approach to the entire production process in terms of product recovery, water circularity, and energy efficiency.”
“Whenever teams from RWDC and Alfa Laval sit down together, great things happen,” says RWDC Chief Operating Officer Ryan Adolphson. “We look forward to a mutually rewarding partnership as we collaborate in creating solutions that eliminate our global reliance on single-use plastic products.”
RWDC has developed proprietary technologies for harvesting outputs from a microbial fermentation process that produces a naturally occurring biodegradable polymer known as PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate). RWDC’s PHA, branded as Solon™ PHA, has been certified by TUV Austria as fully biodegradable in soil, water, and marine conditions. It decomposes completely, leaving no toxic residue.Alfa Laval and RWDC are confident this partnership will yield groundbreaking solutions and fast track the scale-up of commercial production capabilities worldwide.
About Alfa Laval
Alfa Laval is a world leader in heat transfer, centrifugal separation, and fluid handling, and is active in the areas of Energy, Marine, and Food & Water, offering its expertise, products, and service to a wide range of industries in some 100 countries. The company is committed to optimizing processes, creating responsible growth, and driving progress to support customers in achieving their business goals and sustainability targets. Alfa Laval’s innovative technologies are dedicated to purifying, refining, and reusing materials, promoting more responsible use of natural resources. They contribute to improved energy efficiency and heat recovery, better water treatment, and reduced emissions. Thereby, Alfa Laval is not only accelerating success for its customers, but also for people and the planet. Making the world better, every day. Alfa Laval has 20,300 employees. Annual sales in 2022 were SEK 52.1 billion (approx. EUR 4.9 billion). The company is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm.
About RWDC Industries
RWDC Industries is a biotechnology company that utilizes natural processes to produce materials for use in our daily lives. RWDC develops innovative, cost-effective biopolymer material solutions, including SolonTM PHA, a fully biodegradable and environmentally safe material that can replace plastic in a wide range of applications from single use articles to consumer goods or food packaging to non-wovens and textiles. RWDC supports sustainable practices and encourages responsible choice in plastic waste management, including recycling, to protect our environment and planet. Its global headquarters is in Singapore, and its operational headquarters is in Athens, Georgia.
Source
Alfa Laval, press release, 2023-07-18.
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