The bio-based BDO produced by Genomatica (San Diego, California / USA; www.genomatica.com) using its proprietary “Geno” process technologies has received yet another boost. In late July, agriculture specialist Cargill (Minneapolis, Minnesota / USA; www.cargill.com) made an undisclosed equity investment in the renewable chemicals producer, and also signed an agreement under which both companies undertake to accelerate the production of these materials. The Minneapolis-based company also reserved the right to make additional investments into the biomaterials producer.

As part of the deal, the companies will co-market Cargill’s feedstock and production services to both current and future Genomatica clients. The collaboration will offer users access to reliable and competitively-priced carbohydrate feedstock as well as its readiness to build and operate global plants for select customers. “Cargill’s production services give Genomatica an innovative way to accelerate deployment and better serve the chemical industry and needs of our customers,” Genomatica CEO Christophe Schilling said.

The agreement brings together two companies that already have a number of common partners, including German chemicals giant BASF (Ludwigshafen; www.basf.com). Just this March, the latter announced that it is making its bio-based “PolyTHF” polytetrahydrofuran 1000 available to select customers for large-scale testing (see Plasteurope.com of 13.03.2015). The range is based on Genomatica’s bio-BDO. Cargill is also involved with BASF, collaborating on the development of bio-based superabsorbent polymers (see Plasteurope.com of 17.09.2014).