Johnson Matthey Process Technologies, a provider of advanced process technologies, and Rennovia Inc., a privately held company that develops novel catalysts and processes for the cost advantaged production of chemical products from renewable feedstocks, announced that they have successfully started-up a mini-plant for production of glucaric acid from glucose using jointly developed technology.
In March 2014, Johnson Matthey and Rennovia announced their collaboration to develop and commercialize production technology for bio-based glucaric acid and adipic acid. Adipic acid, an industrial chemical conventionally derived from petroleum, is a multi-billion dollar global market, with major applications in nylon fibers and engineering polymers, polyester polyols for polyurethanes, and adipate esters for phthalate-free plasticizers. Glucaric acid, an intermediate in the production of adipic acid, is an emerging platform chemical with a wide range of applications in detergents and cleaners, concrete formulations, de-icing and anti-corrosion markets.
