US renewable chemicals producer Myriant Corporation and Turkish petrochemicals distributor and trader Bayegan have signed an agreement to establish a market for bio-succinic acid (butanedioic acid, a four-carbon molecule) in the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Africa. Succinic acid is traditionally produced from petroleum for use in the manufacture of a variety of plastics and chemicals, but the Myriant process uses renewable feedstocks and enables manufacturers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
“Increasingly our customers are seeking high-performing renewable chemicals, like bio-succinic acid, with the goal of producing sustainable products through eco-friendly processes,” said Ercument Bayegan, CEO and Chairman of Bayegan. As the regional market grows – global annual sales of succinic acid currently amount to $7.5bn – the two companies are looking to build a 70,000 tons/year bio-succinic acid plant in Turkey. Myriant expects to start commercial operations at a 13,600 t/y plant in the US in early 2013. (CONTINUED - 229 WORDS)
