Joint development agreement for renewable polymers
15 Aug 2000
DuPont's Bio-Based Materials business and Tate & Lyle Citric Acid, a subsidiary of UK-based Tate & Lyle, have entered into a joint development agreement that is a step toward manufacturing advanced polymers from renewable sources.
The two companies have agreed to develop the process that turns a carbohydrate base into 1-3 propanediol (PDO). This is then used to manufacture DuPont Sorona, a polymer with a range of applications such as textiles, upholstery fabrics and resins.
The agreement furthers DuPont's efforts to produce PDO from renewable sources such as corn starch and creates a new opportunity for Tate & Lyle to add value to carbohydrates.
'This alliance represents another step forward in our ability to commercially produce PDO from corn starch or other low cost fermentable carbohydrates which are renewable sources,' said Ellen J. Kullman, DuPont group vice president and general manager. 'We bring the microorganism, market knowledge and process technology to the alliance, while Tate & Lyle brings bio-chemical and fermentation expertise, site infrastructure and access to raw materials.'
It is expected that a pilot plant for the process will be completed by year-end.
Last month, DuPont signed an agreement with Far Eastern Textile Ltd., Taiwan, as a licensee and partner in producing fibers from the Sorona polymer. Other licensees include DuPont's Dacron polyester business in North America, DuPont SA in Europe, Saehan Industries in Korea, Teijin Ltd. and Toray Industries Inc. in Japan.
The Tate & Lyle Group are at www.tateandlyle.com
DuPont are at www.dupont.com
