NatureWorks invests US$1 million in methane to lactic acid conversion technology
Published by Francesca Brindle,
Editorial Assistant
Hydrocarbon Engineering,
The new US$1 million 8300 ft2 laboratory at NatureWorks world headquarters is the latest milestone in the company’s multi-year programme to commercialise a fermentation process for transforming methane, a potent greenhouse gas, into lactic acid, the building block of Ingeo™ biopolymer. NatureWorks is hiring six scientists to staff the new facility.
The methane to lactic acid research project began in 2013 as a joint effort between NatureWorks and Calysta Energy™, Menlo Park, California, to develop a fermentation biocatalyst. In 2014, laboratory scale fermentation of lactic acid from methane utilising a new biocatalyst was proven, and the US Department of Energy awarded US$2.5 million to the project. In 2016, the opening of the new laboratory at NatureWorks headquarters marks another major advancement in the journey from proof of concept to commercialisation.
“A commercially viable methane to lactic acid conversion technology would be revolutionary,” said Bill Suehr, NatureWorks Chief Operating Officer. “It diversifies NatureWorks away from the current reliance on agricultural feedstocks, and with methane as feedstock, it could structurally lower the cost of producing Ingeo. It is exciting to envision a future where greenhouse gas is transformed into Ingeo-based compostable food serviceware, personal care items such as wipes and diapers, durable products such as computer cases and toys, films for wrapping fresh produce, filament for 3D printers, deli packaging, and more.”
Based on the research collaboration between NatureWorks and Calysta, NatureWorks hopes to subsequently develop a 25 000 ft2 pilot plant in Minnesota by 2018 and hire an additional 15 employees. Within the next six years the company is looking at the possible construction of a US$50 million demonstration project. It’s conceivable that within the next decade NatureWorks will bring online the first global scale methane to lactic acid fermentation facility.
Adapted from press release by Francesca Brindle
Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/clean-fuels/10032016/natureworks-launches-1-million-dollar-laboratory-for-methane-to-lactic-acid-2727/
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