BASF partners up to expand production on renewable acrylic acid
Cargill and Novozymes have already been in a joint venture on renewable acrylic acid technology since 2008, where both have worked to develop microorganisms that can efficiently convert renewable feedstock into 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3-HP) into acrylic acid.
As BASF joins the venture, the company hopes to play an instrutmental part in the process further converting 3-HP, due to its history of processing acrylic acid.
Beneficial
As a result of the venture, BASF initially plans to use the bio-based acrylic acid to manufacture superabsorbent polymers.
"Together we are uniquely positioned to more sustainably meet market and society needs”, said Michael Heinz, Member of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF on the collaboration.
More sustainable
Acrylic acid is a high-volume chemical that feeds into a broad range of products. One of the main applications is in the manufacture of superabsorbent polymers that can soak up large amounts of liquid and are used mainly in hygiene products.
“By offering bio-based alternatives to fossil-based products we will take a big step towards a more sustainable economy,” says Novozymes CEO Steen Riisgaard.
According to a Novozymes spokesperson, the annual global market volume of acrylic acid is around 4.5 million tons with a value of $11 billion at the end of 2011 and has been growing at a rate of 4 percent per year.
Presently, acrylic acid is produced by the oxidation of propylene derived from the refining of crude oil.
