Just when we\u2019ve chided ADM for being quieter in the sector than a Sensory Deprivation Chamber, they\u2019ve gone and been associated with two major announcements in the week leading up to ABLC.<\/p>\n
From California we learn that Johnson Matthey and Rennovia have signed a license agreement with Archer Daniels Midland Company to provide catalyst and process technology for catalytic production of bio-based glucaric acid.<\/p>\n
So, glucaric is hot, adipic is hotter, chemical catalysis is the hottest of all. Glucaric takes you to detergents and cleaners, concrete formulations, de-icing and anti-corrosion markets. Adipic takes you to nylon 6,6, and when I say \u201cwho\u2019s going to deliver renewable, affordable adipic\u201d I want you to substitute the phrase \u201crich like Warren Buffett\u201d in your mind.<\/p>\n
And, think about this. Bio-based nylon 6,6 is interesting from a carbon point of view because you\u2019re making it from renewable sugars that come from plats. It\u2019s sort of like the Plant Bottle, only it\u2019s the Plant Everything Else. So that\u2019s the kind of news that makes puddles of excitement beneath the chairs at Sustainable Brands get-togethers.<\/p>\n
For others, the excitement is partly about making nylon from plants, but it\u2019s mostly about making nylon from corn sugars. And if you happen to be, ahem, His Grace Archer D. Midland, The Duke of Corn Sugars and Earl Marshal of Wetmills, that\u2019s a tasty prospect.
\nThe ADM backstory<\/p>\n
The big step forward for ADM and Rennovia dates back to 2014, when ADM made a $25 million equity investment in Rennovia. At the time, the partners thought that the company\u2019s first products would be nylon intermediates adipic acid and hexamethylenediamine (HMD).<\/p>\n
In July 2015, we reported that Johnson Matthey Process Technologies and Rennovia successfully started-up a mini-plant for production of glucaric acid from glucose.<\/p>\n
The collaboration went back father, to March 2014, when Johnson Matthey and Rennovia announced their collaboration to develop and commercialize production technology for bio-based glucaric acid and adipic acid.<\/p>\n
The race for bio-based adipic<\/p>\n
In some ways, this entire story revolves around the bigger galactic story \u2013 the chase for a new source for adipic acid. Think nylon, the wonder material. Friend of low-cost carpet, your latest pair of Jimmy Choo sneakers, or mass-market, ready-to-wear fashion sold at everyday low prices. Adipic is a major precursor.<\/p>\n
You want green nylon? (Hint: Nike does, and Toyota) You may need renewably produced adipic acid. Who\u2019s in the nylon hunt? Oh, just a bunch of companies like Ashai Kasei, BASF, DSM, Dupont, Honeywell, Huntsman, Koch, Lanxess, and Rhodia. Add in the \u201cwe\u2019re small and nimble\u201d crowd that includes Rennovia. And don\u2019t think that BioAmber and Verdezyne aren\u2019t in the game the second you can say \u201cOil\u2019s back at $80\u201d<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, there are other paths to nylon 6,6. There\u2019s butadiene, generally thought of as a path to polybutadiene rubber (PBR) and styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), two types of synthetic rubbers used globally to replace natural rubber. But also a key intermediate chemical used by INVISTA for the production of adiponitrile (ADN), which in turn is a critical intermediate chemical used in the manufacture of nylon 6,6.<\/p>\n
And then there\u2019s glucaric<\/p>\n
Glucaric acid, an intermediate in the production of adipic acid, is an emerging platform chemical in its own right, with a wide range of applications in detergents and cleaners, concrete formulations, de-icing and anti-corrosion markets.<\/p>\n
Latest from Rennovia<\/p>\n
Been a busy year for the Solons of Santa Clara. Most recently, last May Stora Enso and Rennovia inked a joint development and license agreement to cooperate on bio-based chemicals development.<\/p>\n
Under the terms of the agreement, the two companies will cooperate to develop processes for bio-based chemicals of interest to Stora Enso, employing Rennovia\u2019s high-throughput catalyst discovery infrastructure and process development expertise. Rennovia focuses on the technology development of novel catalysts and processes for the cost advantaged production of chemicals from renewable feedstocks.<\/p>\n
We noted at the time that \u201ceveryone\u2019s been waiting for Rennovia to announce the next chapter in their evolution after signing and securing ADM as a major strategic partner. Here is a source of cellulosic sugars and a strategic with big ambitions in biobased materials.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chemicals in the Rennovia platform<\/p>\n
Chemicals to watch out for? In Rennovia\u2019s portfolio are biobased glucaric acid, adipic acid, 1,6-hexanediol, hexamethylenediamine (HMD), and other important building blocks for a wide range of functional materials. Rennovia has successfully combined its bio-based AA and HMD to produce 100% renewable nylon-6,6. For our money, we think about this as a step towards establishing HMD as a platform.<\/p>\n
Keep an eye on Rivertop Renewables?<\/p>\n
Sort of. Rivertop\u2019s products are based on salts of glucaric acid. Specifically, sodium glucarate enables superior performance from two Rivertop products. Waterline CI is designed to be a high-performing alternative to phosphorous-based corrosion inhibitors in the water treatment industry. Headwaters corrosion inhibitor for salt brine is used to de-ice winter roads while protecting vehicles and highway infrastructure from corrosion.
\nReaction from the stakeholders<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are proud to announce the licensing of this new and innovative technology to ADM, and we are excited about the future of this technology, which draws upon the fundamental process and catalyst development expertise within Johnson Matthey. This achievement also demonstrates the value of a strong collaborative approach, working together with Rennovia to commercialize a process for bio-based chemicals.\u201d said David Prest, Director of Business Development for Johnson Matthey\u2019s Process Technologies Division.<\/p>\n
\u201cADM continues to work toward commercialization of glucaric acid as a higher value product within our portfolio of bio-based performance chemicals,\u201d said Kevin Moore, President of Renewable Chemicals for ADM. \u201cWe see a strong synergy in leveraging Rennovia\u2019s breakthrough catalyst technology along with the process scale-up capabilities of Johnson Matthey to shorten the time frame needed to bring this new product to market for our customers.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are delighted that ADM has decided to license glucaric acid technology from Rennovia and Johnson Matthey,\u201d said Robert Wedinger, President and CEO of Rennovia. \u201cIt demonstrates the commitment of an industry leader and a key partner of Rennovia. We look forward to working even closer together to commercialize our innovative process for the production of cost advantaged glucaric acid.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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