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Biobased acrylic acid

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Versión en Español Type of post: Fact sheet. Series: Biobased chemicals – Organic acids. Publication date: 05/05/2021. Last update: 05/05/2021. Description - Organic acid with 3 carbon atoms. - It is a clear, colourless, corrosive liquid with a characteristic acrid or tart smell. - Other names: prop-2-enoic acid. Applications - Formation of homopolymers or copolymers which are used in the manufacture of various adhesives, coatings, diapers, detergents, paints, plastics and textiles. The main use of crude acrylic acid is the generation of acrylate esters, followed by the production of polyacrylic acid, used mostly in superabsorbent polymers. - Chemical intermediate in multiple industrial processes. Conventional petrochemical route - Cracking of fossil naphtha to produce propylene / Oxidation of propylene. Main biobased routes - [3-HPA via] Fermentation of sugars to produce 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3-HPA) / Dehydration of 3-HPA. - [Biobased naphtha via] Cracking of biobased naphth...
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Biorefinery models - Lignocellulosic biorefinery

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Publication date: 25/04/2016 Last update: 25/04/2016 ABOUT THE SERIES OF POSTS “BIOREFINERY MODELS” This post belongs to a series called “ Biorefinery Models ”. This series is devoted to briefly describe the models or concepts of advanced biorefineries which have emerged in the last few years and that are rising currently. These models are simplified representations which enable us to understand in a simple way the structure and characteristics of a general biorefinery type. Some of these models refer to the type of feedstock while other focus on the technologies involved. A biorefinery may resemble these models or be the result of variations and combinations of them. It should be noted that although these paradigms are very useful and instructive, they show limitations in describing and classifying complex systems with high level of integration. In order to define and describe a specific complex case, the blog recommends use the classification proposed by IEA Bioenerg...
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Glucaric acid biorefineries

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Publication date: 14/12/2015 Last update: 24/05/2017 Description 1,2,3,4 D-Glucaric acid, also called saccharic acid, is a chemical compound with formula C 6 H 10 O 8 and member of a large family of molecules known as oxidized sugars. It is a naturally occurring aldaric acid, typically found in small amounts in a variety of fruits and vegetables. It is a highly functionalized compound with four chiral carbons and a plethora of reaction pathways. Its commercial potential was unveiled in the report “Top Value Added Chemicals from Biomass” from the Department of Energy of USA which described its use as a building block for a number of polymers, including new nylons and hyperbranched polyesters. Process technologies 1,3,4,5,6,7,8 The synthetic preparation of D-glucaric acid dates back to a report of Sohst and Tollens (1888) who carried out the nitric acid oxidation of D-glucose to D-glucaric acid. Current methods for its production are based on this process and in...
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Zymergen raises 300 M$ to accelerate the manufacturing of its biobased Hyaline film

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Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF.  Zymergen ,   a synthetic biology start-up, has raised 300 M$ in financing. The new capital will be used to accelerate manufacturing of the company’s Hyaline film, which could be seen in commercial applications next year.  Zymergen blog: “ Series D Investments to Accelerate the Products of Tomorrow ”, 8/9/2020.   Figure 1. Hyaline films deliver unique combinations of high transparency, high temperature resistance, and excellent mechanical properties (taken from the company website). The co-development partner for the Hyaline product is Sumitomo Chemical in Japan.  The Series D investment included funds from Baillie Gifford , Baron Capital and others, as well as returning investors. This new influx will boost the release of products across the consumer electronics and agriculture sectors. In fact, Hyaline product will be shipping to key electronics customers in the coming months.  Hyaline is a biobased...
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Hydrotreated Vegetable Oils (HVO) Biorefineries – The rise of renewable diesel

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Publication date: 17/9/2015. Last update: 17/11/2019. Section: ADVANCED BIOFUELS Series: HVO - Hydrotreating(HVO) – Concepts, feedstocks and specifications - Hydrotreating(HVO) – Advantages over FAME and properties - Hydrotreated Vegetable Oils (HVO) Biorefineries – The rise of renewable diesel - Posts: HVO Technologies Company Technology Axens Vegan Colabitoil - ENI and Honeywell UOP Ecofining Haldor Topsoe Hydroflex Neste NEXBTL REG BioSynfining Ryze Renewables - UPM Biofuels UPM BioVerno Other: ConocoPhillips, BP, PetroBras and Nippon Oil Used for co-processing or at low-scale Figure 1. HVO biorefinery of Neste in Singapore (extracted from Neste web page) Operational HVO biorefineries Location Owner Technology Production capacity (Mtons/year) Start-up Kilpilahti, Porvoo (F...
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