Renewable Chemicals from Cellulose
Levulinic Acid
Biofine’s patented technology allows for the economic production of levulinic acid from cellulose thereby establishing a route to the high-purity speciality chemical in addition to numerous downstream derivatives.
Levulinic Acid is one of the twelve most promising biomass-derived chemicals identified by NREL for the U.S. Department of Energy.
Formic Acid
Biofine has established a route to produce 100% renewable formic acid, which allows for the production of the high-value chemical derivatives calcium and sodium formate. Both calcium and sodium formate are in high demand in the agricultural, oil and gas, and de-icing industries
Acrylic Acid & 3-Hydroxypropanoic Acid
3-HPA can be directly converted to bio-acrylic acid by dehydration. BDNE has gained exclusive rights to a patent developed by the University of California Davis to produce 3-HPA and AA from cellulosic waste. Acrylic acid is a major commodity chemical with wide-ranging uses in paints and coatings, packaging, diapers, building materials and fibers. This derivative can also be converted easily to polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) for resins used in biodegradable plastics.
3-HPA is one of the twelve most promising biomass-derived chemicals identified by NREL for the U.S. Department of Energy.
Diphenolic acid
Diphenolic is a close derivative of LA being produced by reaction of levulinic acid and phenol. DPA has huge potential in displacing the use of toxic bisphenol A in polycarbonates and epoxy resins. Diphenolic acid is presently used as a specialty decorative coating. Research has shown that DPA can be used as a direct replacement for bisphenol A in many polymer and resin formulations, in some cases with some comparative advantages for DPA.
Succinic Acid
Succinic Acid has the potential to become an important building block for deriving both renewable commodity and specialty chemicals. Succinic acid and its derivatives are used as food ingredients, precursors for pharmaceuticals, resins, bio-degradable non-toxic alternative plastics for packaging consumer products and in the food and beverage industry.
Succinic Acid is one of the twelve most promising biomass-derived chemicals identified by NREL for the U.S. Department of Energy.