A developer of chemical process technologies targeted to cost-effective production of commodity and specialty chemicals made using renewable feedstocks — has produced what it believes is the first 100-percent biobased nylon 6,6 polymer and has sent samples to a prospective production partner.
Branded Rennlon?, the polymer is made using Rennovia's biobased Rennlon adipic acid (AA) and hexamethylenediamine (HMD) monomers that are produced via the company's proprietary chemical catalytic process technology using widely available renewable carbohydrate and, in the future, also cellulosic glucose feedstocks. Rennovia projects production costs for its monomers will be 20- to 25-percent lower than costs for petroleum-based AA and HMD production. The company also anticipates Rennlon AA and HMD production will generate 85-percent and 50-percent less greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions, respectively, compared to petroleum-based AA and HMD production.
"Practicing our AA and HMD processes at demonstration scale is the next important milestone for the company," said Robert Wedinger, president and CEO, Rennovia. "The production of 100-percent biobased nylon 6,6 further validates Rennovia's unique ability to create technological breakthroughs in the production of biobased chemicals and materials, with projected significant cost advantages and environmental benefits vs. products produced from petroleum-based feedstocks."
