DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products begin Bio-PDO™ production in Tennessee
$100 million plant is world’s first to produce propanediol from corn glucose
LOUDON, Tenn., Nov. 27, 2006 – DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products, LLC, an equally owned joint venture of DuPont and Tate & Lyle, today announced the first commercial shipments of Bio-PDO™ from its $100 million facility here. The Loudon facility produces 1,3-propanediol (Bio-PDO™) from renewable resources – in this case corn glucose – making it the first facility in the world to manufacture this new bio-based product.
The joint venture uses a proprietary fermentation process developed jointly by DuPont and Tate & Lyle to produce Bio-PDO™ using corn instead of petroleum-based feedstocks. The production of Bio-PDO™ consumes 40 percent less energy and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent versus petroleum-based propanediol. Production of 100 million pounds of Bio-PDO™ will save the energy equivalent of 15 million gallons of gasoline per year, or enough to fuel more than 27,000 cars annually.
“Bio-PDO™ is a versatile ingredient for a number of products including specialty polymers such as Sorona®, and also is well suited for cosmetics, liquid detergents and industrial applications like anti-freeze,” said DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products President Steven Mirshak. “We are seeing strong demand for all of our grades of Bio-PDO™ due to its performance, biodegradable nature, and ability to replace petroleum-derived products. Wherever a glycol is being used today, businesses should consider replacing it with our new renewable ingredient.”
“The first shipments of Bio-PDO™ from Loudon mark the beginning of the commercial availability of DuPont’s bio-based pipeline, which is designed to deliver high performance, renewably sourced materials,” said DuPont Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer Thomas M. Connelly. “The technology that was developed to make the various grades of Bio-PDO™ a reality holds great promise. It is a clear demonstration that this new technology can offer new opportunities for products in every major market segment in our economy.”
D. Lynn Grider, President of Tate & Lyle’s U.S. Food & Industrial Ingredients Division, said, “Tate & Lyle scientists have been developing products from renewable resources such as corn, wheat and sugar for over 80 years and Bio-PDO™ is an excellent addition to our industrial ingredient portfolio. By continuing to invest in research, and through strategic partnerships, we can help meet the world’s increasing demand for products from renewable resources that match or exceed the functionality of petroleum-based alternatives. Achieving first commercial shipment is a significant milestone for the joint venture and marks the important move from theoretical to practical.”
The first shipments of Bio-PDO™ were sent to DuPont for the manufacture of DuPont™ Sorona® polymer and to a customer evaluating a new industrial product formulated with Bio-PDO™. Bio-PDO™ can be used in a variety of applications, either by itself or as an ingredient in the production of materials that have traditionally been based on petroleum feedstocks.
The joint venture also announced the launch of two new brand names for Bio-PDO™. Zemea™ propanediol will be the name of products introduced in the personal care and liquid detergent categories where the products’ purity level and low irritation are benefits. For industrial applications such as de-icing fluids, anti-freeze and heat transfer fluids where its low toxicity and biodegradability are beneficial, Bio-PDO™ will be branded Susterra™ propanediol. To learn more about Bio-PDO™, Susterra™ or Zemea™ corn-derived propanediol, call 1-866-404-7933.
Bio-PDO™ also is a key ingredient for Sorona®, DuPont’s newest polymer family. Sorona® is a high-performance polymer that offers a unique combination of attributes in a variety of applications. As a carpet fiber, Sorona® provides permanent stain protection in addition to softness and durability. In apparel, Sorona® contributes exceptional softness, comfort stretch and recovery, easy care and UV- and chlorine-resistance. Sorona® is currently sold in the residential carpet market by Mohawk Industries under the SmartStrand™ with DuPont™ Sorona® polymer brand. It also can be used in a variety of other applications including automotive and home furnishings, packaging and engineering thermoplastic resins. Today, Sorona® is made from petrochemical building blocks. Manufacture of Sorona® using Bio-PDO™ will begin in early 2007, providing the added feature of approximately 40 percent renewable content.
Tate & Lyle uses innovative technology to transform corn, wheat and sugar into value-added ingredients for customers in the food, beverage, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, paper, packaging and building industries. A leader in cereal sweeteners and starches, sugar refining, value added food and industrial ingredients, and citric acid, Tate & Lyle is also the world number-one in industrial starches and the sole manufacturer of SPLENDA® Sucralose. Backed by a strong and growing research organization, Tate & Lyle helps add taste, texture, nutrition and increased functionality to everyday products used by millions of people around the world.
In the last decade, Tate & Lyle established fermentation as a core technological competency and is now one of the world’s major fermentation producers with 17 fermentation plants on four continents. In addition to Bio-PDO™, its portfolio includes citric acid, biogums such as xanthan gum, the carotenoid nutrient astaxanthin, and both fuel grade and potable ethanol.
DuPont – one of the first companies to publicly establish environmental goals 20 years ago – has broadened its sustainability commitments beyond internal footprint reduction to include market-driven targets for both revenue and research and development investment. The goals are tied directly to business growth, specifically to the development of safer and environmentally improved new products for key global markets.
DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation.
The DuPont Oval Logo, DuPont™, The miracles of science™, Sorona®and Bio-PDO™ are registered trademarks or trademarks of DuPont or its affiliates. SPLENDA® is a trademark of McNeil Nutritionals, LLC. SmartStrand® is a registered trademark of Mohawk Industries. Susterra™ and Zemea™ propanediol are trademarks of DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products, LLC www.duponttateandlyle.com
Learn more about Susterra® and Zemea® propanediol