Italy’s hydrocarbon giant ENI is delving further into renewable energy with its chemicals subsidiary Versalis partnering with GEnomatica and Novamont to produce butadiene from renewable energy feedstocks.
And MoU was signed that will see a JV created to develop a comprehensive “end-to-end” process for production of polymer-grade butadiene from biomass. Butadiene is a raw material used in the production of rubber for tires, electrical appliances, footwear, plastics, asphalt modifiers, additives for lubricating oil, pipes, building components, and latex.
Versalis will hold a majority interest in the JV holding company and aims to be the first to build commercial plants using the process technology upon project success. The partnership will leverage Genomatica’s proprietary technologies and intellectual property for producing butadiene, Versalis’ extensive expertise in catalysis process development and process engineering scale-up and market applications of butadiene derivatives, as well as Novamont’s experience in renewable feedstocks. The process technology aspect of the agreement is intended to be made available for future licensing in Europe, Africa, and Asia.
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