Agricultural crop processor Archer Daniels Midland (ADM, Decatur, Illinois / USA; www.admworld.com) and PolyOne (Cleveland, Ohio / USA; www.polyone.com) have agreed to collaborate on the development of bio-based plasticisers. The global plasticiser market is estimated at USD 11 bn annually and is presently comprised predominantly of petroleum-based products. The alliance aims to develop and commercialise bio-based plasticisers from corns and oilseeds.

PolyOne said that there is clear market interest in renewable technology as an alternative to traditional petroleum-based processes and that its compounding expertise, allied with ADM’s knowledge of agricultural-based chemistries and manufacturing techniques, will lead to a new generation of plasticisers and compounds.

ADM has annual sales of around USD 70 bn and employs 27,000 people at over 240 processing plants converting corn, oilseeds, wheat and cocoa into products for food, animal feed, chemical and energy uses.