Dow Chemical, Biotech to Partner on Bio-Based Acrylic Acid

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Dow Chemical Company in Midland, Michigan and OPX Biotechnologies Inc. in Boulder, Colorado have agreed to develop an industrial scale process for the production of bio-based acrylic acid from renewable feedstocks. OPX Bio recently completed an 18-month pilot project showing that its technology based on genomic engineering could manufacture acrylic acid from renewable sources.

The agreement between Dow and OPX Bio aims to prove the technical and economic viability of an industrial-scale process to produce acrylic acid from fermentable sugars, such as corn or cane sugar, with equal performance qualities as petroleum-based acrylic acid. If the research is successful, the companies will discuss commercialization opportunities that could bring bio-based acrylic acid to market in three to five years.

Dow, a global producer of acrylic acid, will provide its expertise in industrial chemistry, manufacturing processes, and product development to the partnership. Acrylic acid is a commonly used chemical found in a wide range of consumer goods including paints, adhesives, diapers, and detergents. The companies estimate the global petroleum-based acrylic acid market at $8 billion, and growing at a rate of 3 to 4 percent per year.

OPX Bio’s technology identifies the genes that control microbial metabolism and then develop a genetic change strategy to optimize both microbial production pathways and bioprocess productivity. The company applied its technology to the production of its first product, BioAcrylic, a bio-based replacement for petroleum-based acrylic acid.

An analysis of OPX Bio’s production processes conducted by Symbiotic Engineering, a greenhouse gas and sustainability consultant, said that the company’s technology can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 70 percent when compared to traditional petroleum-based acrylic acid production.

Read more: Companies to Develop Renewable Chemistry Demo Facility

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