USDA reserves over US$100 million to fund Biosynthetic Technologies

Biosynthetic Technologies, LLC, the developer of very high performance bio-based oils used in automotive and industrial lubricants, has received approval from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) on its Phase One application for a loan guarantee under the USDA’s Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Bio-based Product Manufacturing Assistance Program (the ‘9003 Program’). The co-applicant with Biosynthetic Technologies on this loan application is one of the three largest US based banks. In advancing Biosynthetic Technologies’ application into Phase Two, the USDA has reserved funds that will be used to guarantee 80% of a loan to be issued by the bank to Biosynthetic Technologies to build a commercial scale manufacturing plant.

During Phase Two of the application approval process, which is underway, Biosynthetic Technologies, the bank, and the USDA will work together to finalise loan terms acceptable to the three parties. Under the terms of the 9003 Program, 'a portion of the project costs must be funded by Biosynthetic Technologies’ shareholders'. In conjunction with the project financing, the company will raise a Series D equity round.

Congress established the Biorefinery Assistance Program in 2008, and in the 2014 Farm Bill extended and expanded it to include renewable chemicals and bio-based product manufacturing. The program provides guarantees for loans made by commercial lenders to fund the development of biorefineries for the production of advanced biofuels and renewable chemicals, as well as bio-based product manufacturing facilities.

“The fact that Biosynthetic Technologies’ project was advanced to Phase Two by the USDA in this funding round is a great vote of confidence and point of validation. We are pleased that the 9003 Program was expanded recently to include renewable chemical projects, and honoured to be the only chemical project selected under this program to date,” said Allen Barbieri, CEO. He continued, “Biosynthetic Technologies is thankful to the USDA, Congress, and many other champions of this program. We now look forward to delivering a project that creates US manufacturing jobs, and strengthens both the agricultural sector and the environment, as intended by Congress in the creation of the 9003 Program. Finally, we are anxious to begin filling the tremendous demand for these products, including the many commercial supply agreements we have secured.”

USDA Rural Development Under Secretary Lisa Mensah said, “USDA is proud to support innovative bio-based projects such as this one, which, when completed, will spur economic development, create new jobs and provide new markets for farm commodities in rural America. This loan commitment is the most recent example of the Obama administration’s support in helping grow the bio-based economy and boost the agriculture and manufacturing sectors in America to assist US companies to better compete in a rapidly growing, global, renewable chemicals market."

The project financing will be used to construct a full-scale commercial manufacturing facility that will be co-located within a major existing chemical complex. The plant will produce 20 million gal./y (67 000 tpy) of biosynthetic base oil (BBO), representing less than two tenths of one percent of the global lubricant base oil market, giving Biosynthetic Technologies tremendous expansion potential.

Base oils are the primary ingredient in automotive and industrial lubricants. BBOs have proven to outperform petroleum derived synthetic base oils. As a point of validation, Biosynthetic Technologies has certified SAE 5W-20 and 5W-30 motor oil formulations with the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the US Government’s BioPreferred program. Many lubricant manufacturers see BBOs as a key future material in the sector. Biosynthetic Technologies is now working with numerous major lubricant manufacturers and marketers who are certifying these BBOs as an ingredient in a wide range of products.

Partnered with a leading global speciality chemical company, Biosynthetic Technologies has developed a highly efficient continuous-flow manufacturing process. The company’s molecule structures and continuous flow manufacturing technology are protected by 34 issued US patents, 10 international patents, and 74 pending patent applications.

Adapted from press release by Francesca Brindle

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/petrochemicals/01022016/biosynthetic-technologies-to-receive-us100-million-from-usda-2328/