BASF to build bio-BDO facility

The blog posted last month the possibility of Genomatica licensing its bio-based 1,4 butanediol (BDO) processing technology to BASF after Toray announced that it has successfully produced prototypes of partially bio-based PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) engineering plastic components using Genomatica's bio-BDO.

BASF, Toray started its PBT production in 2006

If readers recall, the blog noted BASF's Malaysian subsidiary BASF Petronas Chemicals is currently supplying petroleum-based BDO to Toray BASF PBT Resin Sdn Bhd - a 50/50 JV between Toray and BASF that manufactures PBT in a 60,000 tonnes/year facility in Kuantan, Malaysia.

Late last week, BASF announced that it plans to begin production of bio-BDO using Genomatica's one-step fermentation process, which uses sugar for feedstock. BASF did not disclose where it will produce bio-BDO or how much it will produce but the company said the bio-BDO it will produce will be available in the second half of 2013 for sampling and trials.

More on this post...