DuPont makes polymer ingredient from corn
2 May 2001
DuPont has successfully manufactured a critical ingredient for its newest polymer, Sorona, using a fermentation process based on corn sugar, a renewable resource. Before this development, the substance could only be produced from petrochemicals.
Scientists produced the chemical, PDO, also known as 1,3 propanediol, at a pilot plant located at Tate & Lyle's facility in Decatur, Illinois. Tate & Lyle is one of two DuPont development partners in the effort. The other is Genencor International , which is developing the biocatalyst for the process.
PDO is a key ingredient in the manufacture of DuPont Sorona 3GT polymer, which can be spun into apparel-grade textile fibres.
DuPont recently started up a new continuous polymerisation plant in Kinston, North Carolina, for the manufacture of Sorona polymer. The PDO used in that process is made from petrochemical feedstocks. But the facility has the capability to switch to corn-based PDO once process economics and market demand justify the change.
