Top 20 Elastomers For Sustainability – Biokemik entry

Top 20 Elastomers For Sustainability

Company: Biokemik

Location: Derio, Province Bizkaia, País Vasco, Spain

Project: Bio-Butadiene from renewable resources

Main materials technologies involved
Biokemik has developed a biological route to obtain Bio-2,3-Butanediol, Bio-Acetoin and Bio-Methyl-Ethyl-Ketone and Bio-Butadiene, from non-alimentary, renewable resources (biomass glucose sources).

Main goal or objective of the development project
- To generate a "green", sustainable alternative route to obtain Butadiene via fermentation processes vs. petrochemical processes.
- To respond to the global demand for sustainable solutions and Butadiene shortage, offering valuable Bio-chemicals from renewable resources

Technical challenges addressed by the project team
The main challenges:
- To identify CECT, Risk-1, non-GMO microorganisms with high selectivity, high yield and short fermentation cycles to obtain Bio-2,3-Butanediol (ACCOMPLISHED)
- To find a chemical route for the dehydration of Bio-2,3-Butanediol to Bio-Butadiene (IN PROGRESS)

What is the commercial status of the technology or product?
- Biokemik is scaling-up the process to validate and commercialize the valuable intermediates (Bio-2,3-Butanediol, Bio-Acetoin) and working on the last mile of development for high yields to obtain Bio-Butadiene.

Please describe the contribution of the technology or product to sustainability
Sustainability represents the single largest business opportunity for the chemical industry. By replacing relevant petrochemicals like Butadiene by Bio-Butadiene, carbon footprint will be considerably reduced and consumption from petrochemicals will be reduced.

Scope for further enhancements to the technology or product
To obtain high yields of conversion, high performance purification and reduced cost.

Any further comments to further highlight the contribution of this development project to environmental sustainability?
This breakthrough will change the rubber and elastomer industry towards sustainability around the world.
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