Versalis (Milan / Italy; www.versalis.eni.com) and Genomatica (San Diego, California / USA; www.genomatica.com) have achieved pilot-scale production at their bio-butadiene (bio-BDE) joint venture, which uses various types of sugars as feedstock. Versalis holds an undisclosed majority share in the jv, which the two companies set up in 2013 (see Plasteurope.com of 15.04.2013). The Italian group will primarily use the bio-BDE to make bio-polybutadiene (bio-BR).

In their common work, the two companies found that 1.3 butanediol (1.3 BDO) is the most suitable intermediate for bio-BDE. In its research centres in Novara and Mantova, both in Italy, the Eni subsidiary has already produced several kilogrammes of butadiene from 1.3 BDO. It then proceeded to turn the material into bio-BR using both anionic and Ziegler-Natta catalysis at its Ravenna R&D plant.

The two companies said that initial tests on both the bio-BDE and bio-BR found the materials to be compatible with existing industry standards.

Genomatica collaborates with a number of leading industry players when it comes to bio-BDE, including BASF, Braskem, Cargill, DSM and Novamont.