Genomatica, a technology leader in the chemical industry, has achieved another milestone with the successful production of butadiene, one of the basic chemicals from renewable feedstocks.
Genomatica has successfully produced pound quantities of butadiene, made from renewable feedstocks. Credit: Genomatica
Bio-based manufacturing processes from Genomatica is used for butadiene production. Butadiene is a key material used to produce latex products, engineering polymers, tires and other products.
The company has started production at the right time when there is an increasing global shortage and rising costs of C4 and C3 chemical products such as butadiene and propylene. At present, butadiene is mostly produced as a by-product resulting from ethylene cracking. As natural gas is available abundantly, lighter feedstocks sourced from them are used as input for ethylene cracking. The move towards the higher use of lighter feedstocks leads to decreased production of C3 and C4 chemicals. This resulted in the increase of butadiene costs.
The processes from Genomatics enable production of basic chemicals such as butadiene from sustainable feedstocks. They are expected to considerably reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions compared to petroleum-based processes.
Genomatica had earlier developed the first process for commercial production of 1,4-butanediol (BDO) or C4 chemical. The company anticipates that the first commercial-scale BDO facility will start production in late 2012. The company has planned the second commercial process for butadiene production from renewable feedstocks. Genomatica will employ its proprietary technology to enhance process performance and economics.