DATE : 2014-09-15

 

The joint venture (JV) between Germany’s BASF, US-based Cargill and Denmark’s Novozymes has produced an absorbent polymer using bio-based acrylic acid as feedstock, said the companies on Monday.

According to chemical major BASF, the JV has achieved a “milestone” in their joint development of technologies to produce acrylic acid from renewable raw materials.

“The team has demonstrated the successful conversion of 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3-HP), to glacial acrylic acid and superabsorbent polymers. Moreover they have selected the process for further scale-up,” said BASF.

BASF initially plans to use the bio-based acrylic acid to manufacture superabsorbent polymers.

“After just 18 months we have selected the preferred process to convert 3-HP into glacial acrylic acid. Now we are working full force on the set-up of a small integrated pilot plant until the end of this year,” said Teressa Szelest, vice president, global hygiene business, at BASF.

 

SOURCE Icis News