Lanxess to go for bio-based feedstocks

By David Shaw, ERJ staff

Toronto, Canada -- Lanxess AG intends to move toward bio-based raw materials, replacing petro-based monomers, according to Dr Ron Commander, head of Lanxess butyl rubber business. He said Lanxess has "made a decision to divorce ourselves from the petrochemical-- the barrel of oil."

Commander was speaking at a seminar on biotechnology and bioprocessing in Toronto, along with Pat Gruber, chief executive of Gevo, in which Lanxess has bought a significant stake. Commander said of the relationship with Gevo, "this is a very unique relationship." He said Lanxess takes sustainability very seriously, as does Gevo, for whom Commander is also a director.

Commader said the Lanxess butyl rubber factory in Sarnia, Ontario has a goal that 50 percent of raw materials will be bio-based. he said Lanxess has a clear vision with board-level agreement about a roadmap for future bio-based investments and production.