Global Polyurethane News: April 14, 2023 - American renewable chemicals and advanced biofuels company Gevo and Korean chemical group LG Chem have entered into a joint venture on their ethanol-to-olefins (ETO) technology Development Agreement.
Under the terms of the agreement, the two companies will collaborate to accelerate pilot research, scale-up and commercialization of biopropylene using Gevo's ETO technology for use in renewable chemicals.
Gevo says its patented technology can replace traditional petroleum-based building blocks, such as propylene, for carbon-neutral or carbon-negative floors. The plant-based renewable olefins will be derived from atmospheric carbon dioxide captured through photosynthesis and are expected to offer the same properties as their fossil-based counterparts in the final product.
"We believe Gevo's ethanol-to-olefins process can be more capital and energy efficient than existing technologies to create renewable olefin intermediates for the production of chemicals or fuels," said Paul Bloom, Gevo's chief carbon and innovation officer.
"Our collaboration with LG Chem is a great example of our intention to accelerate the development and commercialization of ETO technology to enable renewable chemicals with our world-class partners, while Gevo plans to deploy the technology to reduce Cost and carbon intensity of sustained aviation fuel and other drip fuels such as renewable diesel."
Gevo said it expects biopropylene to play a pivotal role in the rapid growth of the bioplastics market and circular economy. Once commercialized, this renewable olefin could also be used as an alternative to petroleum-based materials in products such as automotive interior and exterior trim, flooring and diapers.