BASF, DuPont Back Biofeedstocks

Chemical & Engineering News
Volume 90 Issue 2 January 9, 2012 p. 8
By Melody Bomgardner

Investment: Corporate money may speed commercialization of biomass-to-feedstock technologies

The Renmatix process extracts sugars from cellulose with supercritical water.
Credit: RenmatixChemical giants BASF and DuPont have made equity investments in two young industrial biotech firms focused on biomass-based feedstocks for chemicals and fuels. The start-ups say the corporate backing will help them reach commercial-scale production quickly.

BASF invested $30 million in cellulosic sugar firm Renmatix, based in King of Prussia, Pa. Renmatix has developed technology to extract C5 and C6 sugars from cellulosic biomass using supercritical water. The sugars can then be fermented to produce biofuels or basic chemical products. The company claims its new process is significantly less expensive than current cellulose digestion systems that rely on enzymes, acid hydrolysis, or gasification.

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