Page 157 - CW E-Magazine (26-11-2024)

News from Abroad

PARTNERSHIP
Toray and PTT Global Chemical to advance manu-

facturing of adipic acid from non-edible biomass

Japan’s Toray Industries has
signed a memorandum of understand-
ing with Thai petrochemicals pro-
ducer, PTT Global Chemical Public
Company Ltd. (GC), to explore mass
production technology for adipic acid
made from non-edible biomass.

Toray and GC will jointly evaluate
the feasibility of technology and com-
mercialisation in Thailand and Japan.
If business is determined viable,
the partners aim to commercially
manufacture “several thousand”
metric tons of bio-based muconic
and bio-based adipic acid annually
by 2030. Last year, both companies
began jointly developing technology

to produce these raw materials for Additionally, the manufacturing pro- chain to manufacture “tens of thou-
nylon-6,6 from non-edible biomass- cess does not generate nitrous oxide, sands of metric tons” of bio-based
derived sugars made at Cellulosic a greenhouse gas by-product typically adipic acid from agricultural waste in
Biomass Technology Co. Ltd., a Thai associated with chemical synthesis- Thailand. They will use this acid to
company in which Toray has an 84% based processes. make eco-friendly nylon-6,6, assisting
stake. efforts to create a circular economy
Toray and GC will build a supply and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
GC employs its proprietary fer-
mentation technology to convert Unipex Solutions becomes Barentz
non-edible sugars into muconic acid.
Toray uses its hydrogenation process France SAS
to produce high-purity bio-adipic
acid from muconic acid. A subsidiary of the Barentz B.V. Barentz, which is strengthening its
group, a global supplier of speciality presence in France. The change is
The resulting bio-based adipic ingredient solutions, Unipex Solutions effective from November 12, 2024.
acid can serve as a raw material for France is changing name to Barentz Barentz France SAS will now operate
nylon-6,6 for resins and fibres similar France SAS. This evolution marks the from several key locations to optimise
to the petroleum-derived nylon-6,6. complete integration of Unipex within its services and proximity to customers.

Chemical Weekly November 26, 2024 157

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