Ludwigshafen, Germany, and Diemen, Netherlands, September 30, 2009 – BASF SE and CSM nv today announced the cooperation between their respective subsidiaries BASF Future Business GmbH and PURAC for the development of the production of biobased succinic acid.
Both partners have been working on the development of the industrial fermentation and down-stream processing of biobased succinic acid and will start production of commercial quality and volumes in the second quarter of 2010.
BASF Future Business and PURAC form a strong partnership by combining their respective strengths in the technology development and application of biobased succinic acid. BASF is a global leader in intermediates, chemical building blocks and polymers. PURAC is the world leading producer of lactic acid and lactides from renewable feedstocks.
Using a fully equipped fermentation and down stream purification plant the partners will demonstrate the economical production of succinic acid on industrial scale using a highly innovative route on the basis of renewable substrate. In addition, the greenhouse gas CO2 will be used as a raw material and fixed during the highly efficient fermentation process, contributing further to sustainable development.
Biobased succinic acid will be applied as a monomeric building block in a variety of biopolymers, e.g. biodegradable polyesters. Furthermore, low cost succinic acid has high potential as a platform chemical and its downstream products. Both companies will work together in order to achieve manufacturing cost levels making biobased succinic acid competitive for a wide variety of novel applications.
“We are happy to partner with PURAC, the world leader of lactic acid production and an expert in fermentation and purification of biobased chemicals” said Dr. Thomas Weber, Managing Director of BASF Future Business GmbH. “Combining our competencies, we open the door to make biobased succinic acid a success story.”
“Through this biobased succinic acid collaboration we aim to add an important new monomeric building block to PURAC next to our lactide products” says Gerard Hoetmer, Chief Executive Officer of CSM. “This partnership has great potential because it leverages the combined strengths of two leading companies in their fields.”
About BASF Future Business GmbH
BASF Future Business GmbH, a 100 percent subsidiary of BASF SE, was founded in April 2001. It aims to open up business areas with above-average growth rates that lie outside BASF's mainstream activities. The company focuses on chemistry-based new materials, technologies and system solutions. BASF Future Business GmbH commissions research from BASF’s R&D units but also cooperates with startup companies, industrial partners, universities and potential customers. Other alternatives include the acquisition of direct stakes, joint ventures with partner companies or provision of venture capital via the subsidiary BASF Venture Capital GmbH.
About BASF
BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics and performance products to agricultural products, fine chemicals as well as oil and gas. As a reliable partner BASF helps its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF has approximately 97,000 employees and posted sales of more than €62 billion in 2008. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN).
About PURAC
PURAC is the worldwide market leader in lactic acid, lactic acid derivatives and lactides. PURAC has over 70 years of experience in the development, manufacturing and marketing of these products in a broad range of industries. PURAC operates production plants in the USA, the Netherlands, Spain, Brazil and Thailand and markets its products through a worldwide network of sales offices and distributors. PURAC has a strong focus on the development of the bioplastics market. PURAC develops this market through innovative solutions and partnerships with a select group of companies in the plastics industry. PURAC is headquartered in The Netherlands and is a part of CSM.
About CSM
CSM is global market leader in lactic acid and lactic acid derivatives and is the largest supplier of bakery products worldwide. CSM operates in business-to-business markets throughout Europe, North America, South America, and Asia, generates annual sales of € 2.5 billion and has a workforce of around 8,700 employees in 24 countries.