In a move aimed at developing a cost competitive biological route to butadiene that “will help assure ample supply and reduce price volatility", US polymer and fibre producer Invista (Wichita, Kansas; www.invista.com) on 13 August signed a joint development agreement with biotechnology group LanzaTech (Roselle, Illinois / USA; www.lanzatech.com). Under the terms of the deal, the two companies undertook to jointly develop one- and two-step technologies to convert industrial waste gas carbon monoxide into butadiene.

Initially, the two companies will focus on producing butadiene in a two-step process from LanzaTech CO-derived 2,3 butanediol (2,3 BDO), with plans to develop a single-step process to produce BDO through gas fermentation. Invista and LanzaTech are striving to commercialise the process in 2016. The companies said they would also cooperate on developing tools to extend the technology for the direct production of other industrial chemicals, including polyamide intermediates.

“Joining forces with Invista’s world-class research team will enable us to accelerate the commercialisation of a biological route to butadiene, further demonstrating that gas fermentation is an important route for the production of both fuels and chemicals,” said LanzaTech CEO Jennifer Holmgren. The Roselle-based company operates a 15,000 gal/y carbon monoxide to ethanol and 2,3 BDO plant at a steel mill in New Zealand as well as a 100,000 gal/y waste gas to ethanol facility at a Baosteel steel mill in China.