Rennovia last week announced that it has created a process to make bio-based nylon materials that are nearly 25 percent cheaper to produce and emit half as much greenhouse gas emissions as conventional petroleum-derived substances.
The company claims it has demonstrated production of hexamethylenediamine (HMD) — a critical chemical used in the production of nylon — from renewable feedstocks. Coupled with Rennovia’s renewable adipic acid, this enables for the first time the production of 100 percent bio-based nylon-6,6 from monomers derived from bio-renewable feedstocks using chemical catalytic technology.
Over 3 billion pounds of HMD is produced each year from petroleum-derived propylene or butadiene, representing a global market of more than $4 billion. It is used in the manufacture of nylon-6,6 for resin and fiber applications, as well as in polyurethanes. These are used in a wide range of consumer goods, including interior, exterior and under-the-hood automotive parts, coatings, tires, shoes, apparel and carpeting.
“The development of our HMD process further validates Rennovia’s unique ability to create technological breakthroughs in the production of bio-based chemical products, with projected significant cost advantages vs. products produced from petroleum-based feedstocks,” said Robert Wedinger, President and CEO of Rennovia.
A 2010 report by the World Economic Forum concluded that converting biomass into fuels, energy and chemicals has the potential to generate upwards of $230 billion to the global economy by 2020 — the majority of which will be in the U.S.
Published Apr 28, 2013 10pm EDT / 7pm PDT / 3am BST / 4am CEST
Managing Director, Sustainability & Social Impact
Deutsche Bank
Mike Hower is a sustainability communicator and connector committed to helping purpose-driven businesses and people unlock their full potential for positive impact. As founder and principal consultant at Hower Impact, he works with companies to translate sustainability strategy into stories that inform, engage and inspire investors, customers, employees, regulators and other stakeholders in the service of social, environmental and business goals. Through his Impact Hired initiative, he works to connect and engage corporate sustainability professionals at all stages of their careers.
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