Thai PTTCH says Myriant develops technology for bio-based chems

06 October 2011 11:52  [Source: ICIS news]

SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Thailand’s PTT Chemical (PTTCH) said on Thursday that US-based Myriant Corp, in which it has a strategic stake, has developed a technology to produce bio-based chemicals, including succinic acid.

PTTCH had invested $60m into Myriant early this year as part of its foray into production of environmentally-friendly chemicals.

Myriant’s proprietary process uses non-food cellulosic feedstocks to produce chemicals, including succinic acid and lactic acid, PTTCH said in a statement.

“PTT Chemical and Myriant are working together on the immediate roll-out of succinic acid and its derivatives, in southeast Asia, for which details are to be announced soon,” PTTCH said.

Myriant is currently building the world's largest bio-based succinic acid plant in Louisiana, US, that is slated to start commercial production in 2012, PTT Chemical said.

Building a facility that will produce bio-based succinic acid and downstream products in southeast Asia is among the options being considered by PTTCH, to expand its partnership with Myriant, a company source told ICIS.

“We are exploring options in terms of marketing, production and technology,” the source said, without elaborating.

Succinic acid is commonly used in the production of pigments, polymers, solvents, for applications such as paints and polyurethane.

PTTCH is a subsidiary of Thailand’s state-run oil and gas major PTT Group.

By: Nurluqman Suratman

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