Mini-plant for production of glucaric acid from glucose starts up successfully
Recent news about
one of the DOE’s 12 Top Biobased Molecules. Rennovia
Inc. and Johnson Matthey Process
Technologies announced on July 16 that they have successfully started-up a
mini-plant for production of glucaric acid from glucose using jointly developed
technology. In March 2014, these companies embarked on a collaboration to
develop, demonstrate and commercialize catalytic process technologies for the
production of bio-based glucaric acid and adipic acid. Under the collaboration,
Rennovia and JM Process Technologies work together in processes based on
Rennovia’s technology for the catalytic aerobic oxidation of glucose to
glucaric acid and the catalytic hydrogenation of glucaric acid to adipic acid.
The final goal of the collaboration is to license a package enabling commercial
production of these chemical products. The successful operation of this
mini-plant is a major milestone in the journey to achieve this goal.
The facility is
located at the Johnson Matthey Process Technologies R&D Center in Stockton
(England). No data have been reported about its capacity. The learnings from
the operation of the mini-plant will provide the design basis for commercial
scale manufacturing plants. Now, the companies will continue with the design
and construction of the second phase of the facility focused on the production
adipic acid.
Glucaric acid is
an emerging platform chemical. It can serve as a starting point for the
production of a wide range of products with applicability in high volume
markets: detergents and cleaners, concrete formulations, de-icing and
anti-corrosion. The adipic acid, chemical conventionally derived from
petroleum, has major applications in nylon fibers and engineering polymers,
polyester polyols for polyurethanes, and adipate esters for phthalate-free
plasticizers.
Figure 1. Derivatives of glucaric acid (Extracted
from: “Top Value Added
Chemicals from Biomass—Volume I: Results of Screening for Potential Candidates
from Sugars and Synthesis Gas”)