Petrochemical company Versalis, biodegradable plastics specialist Novamont and sustainable chemicals company Genomatica have formed a strategic collaboration to produce butadiene from renewable feedstocks.
The partnership will develop a comprehensive ‘end-to-end’ process for production of polymer-grade butadiene from biomass. Versalis will hold a majority interest in the joint venture holding company and aims to be the first to build commercial plants using the process technology upon project success.
The partnership will leverage Genomatica’s proprietary technologies and intellectual property for producing butadiene, Versalis’ extensive expertise in catalysis process development and process engineering, as well as Novamont’s experience in renewable feedstocks.
Scarcity issues in the butadiene market increases the cost of butadiene-based products such as tyres. In this scenario, butadiene production from biomass is a strategic move by Versalis, as it can shun naphtha cracking processes during C4 stream scarcity. Hence, the partnership provides the opportunity to increase butadiene supply and augment its bio-based portfolio.
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