WICHITA, KAN. (Aug. 14, 12:45 p.m. ET) — Specialty plastics and chemicals firm Invista has signed a development agreement with biotechnology firm for bio-based butadiene — a chemical used in the production of various plastics.
The companies will collaborate on projects to develop one-step and two-step technologies to convert industrial waste gas carbon monoxide into butadiene, starting with a two-step process from LanzaTech CO-derived 2,3-butanediol (2,3 BDO).Initial commercialization is expected in 2016.
“As we seek innovative solutions to increase the global supply of butadiene, we believe developing a cost competitive biological route to butadiene will help assure ample supply and reduce price volatility,” Bill Greenfield, executive vice president of Invista's nylon intermediates business, said in a statement.