DSM and ROQUETTE to commercialize bio-based succinic acid as of end 2009

11-Mar-2009 - France

Royal DSM N.V. and ROQUETTE confirmed that its bio-based succinic acid demonstration plant in Lestrem (France) will be operational by the end of 2009. The pilot scale production has proven that this biological route for producing succinic acid can be commercially viable. The first tests for customers are already underway with this 'green' succinic acid.

For the first time succinic acid - a chemical building block used in the manufacture of polymers, resins, food and pharmaceuticals among other products - will be produced using biological means. DSM and ROQUETTE have developed a method to produce succinic acid from starch using an innovative enzyme-based fermentation technology rather than the traditional ingredients, crude oil and natural gas. The Lestrem demonstration plant will enable this manufacturing process to be refined further before it is scaled-up to full commercial industrial production in 2011/2012. This new white biotechnology-based route could result in up to 40% reduction in energy requirements compared to the traditional method, and have a positive impact on reducing CO2 emissions, as carbon dioxide is actually used in the production process.

In addition to the sustainability benefits, the successful production of bio-succinic acid at the industrial level will help provide the knowledge, economies of scale and open up new markets and applications for bio-based products in other fields including pharmaceuticals, fuel, chemicals, food and feed and materials.

https://www.chemeurope.com/en/news/98086/dsm-and-roquette-to-commercialize-bio-based-succinic-acid-as-of-end-2009.html