US biochemical producer Myriant Corp (Quincy, Massachusetts; www.myriant.com) and Japan’s Sojitz Corp (Tokyo; www.sojitz.com) have agreed a sales and marketing partnership for the distribution of biobased succinic acid in Japan, China, South Korea and Taiwan. The biobased succinic acid will be used in applications such as plasticizers, polymers, urethanes and solvents. Sojitz also announced plans to build a commercial biobased derivatives plant, which is scheduled to come online in 2015.

The companies said the distribution agreement combines Myriant’s biobased succinic acid manufacturing strengths with Sojitz’s strong market presence. Sojitz has more than 25 sales offices throughout Asia. “The combination of Sojitz’s sales and marketing as well as their intent to expand our production capacity were the twin catalysts for this agreement,” stated Stephen Gatto, Myriant’s chairman and CEO.

“Our plan is to set up a commercial biobased derivatives plant that we expect to come online in 2015, which will consume 150m pounds of Myriant’s biobased succinic acid,” said Mr Izutani, general manager for functional materials and fine chemicals at Sojitz. “By establishing our partnership with Myriant, Sojitz is enhancing its presence in the green gaining access to Myriant’s biobased succinic acid, Sojitz will be in a position to grow its business of green chemical derivatives.”

Earlier this year, Thai petrochemicals producer PTT Chemical (Bangkok; www.pttplc.com) said it has invested USD 60m in Myriant. The companies will also collaborate in R&D towards the manufacturing of green chemicals and establish a joint venture to apply Myriant’s technology in Southeast Asia using the large resources of quality bio-based feedstock available in Thailand and the Asia region – see Plasteurope.com of 02.02.2011.