Page 166 - CW E-Magazine (23-7-2024)

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BOOSTING NUTRIENT USE EFFICIENCY CONTRACT MANUFACTURING
Syngenta and Intrinsyx Bio join forces to offer Lotte Biologics breaks ground on new $3.3-bn plant

endophyte formulations in South Korea

Swiss agri-biotech fi rm, Syngenta phosphorus and micronutrients that “Partnering with Syngenta allows Lotte Biologics, a part of the South
Biologicals, and Intrinsyx Bio, a are important for plant health. This re- farmers around the world to benefi t Korean conglomerate Lotte, has broken
Silicon Valley biotech company that duces the need for synthetic fertilisers, from endophytes proven mode of ac- ground on its fl agship facility at the
promotes sustainable agriculture, have offering farmers greater fl exibility in tion and extensive fi eld testing that Songdo Bio Campus in Incheon Inter-
announced a collaboration to bring a their nutrient management strategies improves nutrient use effi ciency and national City, South Korea.
novel biological solution to agricultural while lowering the environmental im- increases crop yields,” said Mr. Greg
markets globally. pact of farming. Formulations will be Thompson, CEO of Intrinsyx Bio. The move is part of the company’s
offered as seed treatment and foliar Syngenta has been investing signifi - quest to become one of the top 10 con-
The collaboration will boost far- application in key agricultural crops. cantly in strengthening its portfolio tract development and manufacturing
mers’ access to a custom selection of of biological solutions for both plant organisations (CDMOs) in the world,
Intrinsyx Bio’s proprietary endophyte “This collaboration refl ects Syngen- and seed health. Since its acquisition Lotte said in a press release.
formulations. Endophytes – small ta’s commitment to transforming the of Valagro in 2020, it has continued to
microorganisms that colonise in plants – future of agriculture, with innovations that invest heavily in R&D, while expanding The company will invest roughly
fi x atmospheric nitrogen directly into improve the sustainability of farming,” its portfolio of cutting-edge biological 4.6-trillion Korean won (about $3.3-bn)
the plant, increasing the availability said Mr. Jonathan Brown, Global Head solutions through various commercial in the new site, which will house
and uptake of key nutrients such as of Syngenta Biologicals and Seedcare. and research collaborations. three production plants alongside
essential auxiliary buildings. Lotte’s total capacity of 360,000 litres across establishing our nation as a leading
RISING COSTS engineering and construction arm is the entire campus. “Lotte Biologics is force in this critical sector,” said Lotte
ADM, LG Chem not to go ahead with lactic acid, taking charge over the design and con- committed to evolving into a global Biologics’ CEO, Mr. Richard Lee.
top 10 bio-CDMO by 2030. Through
struction of the fi rst plant at the faci-
polylactic acid projects lity, the company added. Each plant is this growth, we aspire to serve as a Lotte had earlier said that it expects
ultimately expected to boast 120,000 driving force to propel Korea to the plants 1, 2 and 3 would be completed in
US-based food processing and in 2022 and had aimed to build faci- majority-owned by LG Chem. When litres of production capacity for a forefront of the global bioeconomy, 2025, 2027 and 2030, respectively.
commodities trading major, ADM, lities in Decatur, Illinois (USA) to announced, the companies said Green- FUNDING
and South Korea’s LG Chem have produce lactic and PLA. Wise Lactic would produce as much
announced that their previously an- as 150-ktpa of high-purity corn-based University of Akron gets govt. grant to research
nounced projects for the production of The two ventures are ADM’s ma- lactic acid, while LG Chem Illinois
lactic and polylactic acid (PLA) will jority-owned GreenWise Lactic and Biochem aimed to produce approxi- sustainable polymers
not move forward. LG Chem Illinois Biochem, which is mately 75-ktpa of PLA.
The University of Akron in US has
“Since we originally announced Yara and Petrobras ink master received a $51-mn grant from the US
our two joint ventures with LG Chem government to research sustainable poly-
for lactic and polylactic acid in 2022, agreement for fertiliser collaboration mers. Akron was selected as one of 12 tech
construction costs have skyrocketed. hubs in the country to receive federal funding.
We looked at a variety of options, but Norwegian fertiliser major, Yara’s bras will jointly fi nalise the analysis
when the time came to make fi nal in- Brazilian arm, Yara Brasil Fertilizantes on the potential synergies between Some of the federal funding will go
vestment decisions, it had become and Brazilian oil and gas company, their operations, to increase effi cien- to the University of Akron to focus on
clear that these projects no longer Petrobras, have signed a non-binding cies in the local fertiliser and industrial life cycle assessment training as part of
represented a prudent use of our in- Master Agreement, as next step forward products market, including possible its ‘Workforce Initiative for a Sustainable
vestors’ capital that would meet our in the negotiations to structure a po- decarbonisation paths. Environment’. The tech hub will focus
returns objectives.,” said Mr. Chris tential business partnership, following on developing and producing the next
Cuddy, President of ADM’s Carbo- the Memorandum of Understandings This collaboration aligns with generation of sustainable rubber and
hydrate Solutions business. (MoU) signed on February 29, 2024. Petrobras’ recently renewed interest plastics. UA also plans to add courses
in the fertiliser sector as part of its in life cycle assessment and update the
The joint ventures were announced In the next phase Yara and Petro- ‘2024-28+ Strategic Plan’. current curriculum to include the topic.

166 Chemical Weekly July 23, 2024 Chemical Weekly July 23, 2024 167

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