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Home , Acrylic acid

BEST INNOVATION BY AN SME

since the 1980s but, to date, no one has been able to develop an economically feasible proc- ess. The thermoplastic has similar properties to terephthalate (PET), but with significantly higher barrier properties. Novomer’s proprietary system is based on ho- mogeneous catalyst technology that was origi- nally discovered at New York-based Cornell University by Geoffrey Coates, Novomer’s co-founder and chairman of its scientific advisory board. The significance of the process is that it enables the use of a low-cost , in this case (CO), which is combined with oxide (EO) to make propriolactone. Novomer says that the use of inexpensive raw materials, such as CO and ethane-derived EO, and the catalyst’s selec- Superabsorbent (SAP) made with Novomer’s catalyst has the same tivity, which is in excess performance as SAP made using the traditional propylene-based route of 99%, means that the Novomer “Our ultimate vision... is that low molecular weight PPL CO route could be shipped globally and converted to AA or upon demand” MIKE SLOWIK cuts acrylic Director of chemicals, Novomer cost of the process is potentially 40% lower than current available technologies. acid costs In addition, the process is expected to have a lower carbon and energy footprint because it operates at moderate temperatures, notably between 30-50oC. This compares with an Novomer, winner of the Best Innovation by an SME operating temperature of over 250oC in the existing AA production process. category, has widened its vision for the proprietary Novomer has raised about $30m so far in technology, which won last year’s Innovation with Best venture capital funding which it is using to part-finance construction of a continuous pi- Environmental Benefit category lot-scale process plant. The company has also applied for a US Department of Energy grant ELAINE BURRIDGE LONDON properties and biodegradability that also to boost its finances. offers a means of shipping AA. PPL, although The development facility is being built in new proprietary catalyst system stable across a wide range of temperatures, Rochester, New York, near the company’s capable of producing a wide range of degrades quickly to glacial AA above 200oC. research and development laboratory in intermediates from carbon monox- Mike Slowik, director of chemicals at Ithaca, and completion is expected in the next ide and ethylene oxide has the Novomer, comments: “Our ultimate vision for 12-18 months. Construction of a commercial- potentialA to transform the chemical industry, this technology is that low molecular weight scale plant, which will produce AA via PPL, claims Novomer, which describes itself as an PPL could be shipped globally and converted is expected to begin in 2015. Capacity will “emerging sustainable chemistry company”. to AA or acrylate esters upon demand.” depend on the outcome of the pilot trials. These chemicals, namely acrylic acid (AA), The ability to ship PPL and convert it to Novomer is currently looking for a com- acrylate esters, butanediol (BDO), tetrahydro- glacial AA offers a much better economical mercial partner to help co-develop the tech- furan (THF), polypropiolactone (PPL) and and sustainable method of sourcing AA where nology. Slowik says he has received a lot of succinic acid, have a global market value in it is needed, Slowik says. AA’s primary interest worldwide and expects Novomer to excess of $20bn (€15bn), according to the demand is in superabsorbent (SAP) make a selection at the end of 2012 or in Ithaca, New York-based company and can be which goes into diapers and growth is being early 2013. O produced at a disruptively lower cost and driven by markets in India and China where For more information on Novomer’s proprietary with a reduced environmental footprint. demand is rising at 6-7%/year. technology and the company itself, go to PPL is a new polymer with good material Slowik says that PPL has been studied www.novomer.com/

36 | ICIS Chemical Business | 22-28 October 2012 www.icis.com