Novamont opens its Mater-Biopolymer plant in Patrica
Type of post: NEWS.
On 19th October, Novamont officially opened its Mater-Biopolymer
plant located in Patrica (Province of Frosinone, Italian region of Lazio). The
ribbon-cutting ceremony was preceded by a conference called "The Regeneration
Comes on", which is part of the review of events related to the fiftieth
anniversary of the Club of Rome (an organization
whose mission is to promote understanding of the global challenges facing
humanity and to propose solutions through scientific analysis, communication
and advocacy). At the end of the conference, all the guests were guided into the
plant to discover its production process.
Press release: “Grand
opening for Mater-Biopolymer: the Novamont Group’s site for the production of
ORIGO-BI”, 18/10/2018.
The plant produces Origo-Bi, one of
the components of Mater-Bi (a family of
completely biodegradable and compostable bioplastics which are being used to
provide low environmental impact solutions for every day products). Origo-Bi is
a trade name of the polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), biodegradable
random copolymer, synthesized from 1,4-butanediol, adipic acid and dimethyl
terephthalate.
In 2009, the plant belonged to Mossi
& Ghisolfi group, had two PET production lines and had stopped production
on one of them. From this year, a partnership enabled Novamont to start working
on gradually converting this line to its technology. In 2011, the first
continuous unit for production of Origo-Bi was inaugurated. Now, with the
conversion of the second line completed and taking full advantage of the
technological advances made possible by the experience gained from the first
line, Novamont will double production capacity of the Origo-Bi biopolyester range,
from 50,000 to 100,000 tons per year and achieve a higher content of renewable
raw materials.
Figure 1. View of the Mater-Biopolymer
plant (extracted from the press release)
Various sections of the plant
have been regenerated to allow the use of renewable raw materials and the
application of a more sustainable and low-emission process. The Novamont
strategy looks for the revitalization of former industrial sites and the enhancement
of infrastructure and skills existing. It is a highly efficient plant and is
equipped with a complex system of utilities that allows to minimize costs and
waste. In 2016, the site started the construction of a waste water distillation
section from the process that made it possible to recover the tetrahydrofuran
(THF) that is generated during the polymerization reaction. Once distilled, it is
destined for chemical and pharmaceuticals industry.
