Biochemicals from the Bacterial Factory

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However, the switch from adipic acid to succinic acid was not as easy as it sounds. The succinic acid molecule lacks two carbon atoms – and that results in other properties. In order to turn it into a polyol and ultimately into a polyurethane with the desired profile, chemists have to perfectly coordinate the succinic acid and all other additives.

Bio–Products Have to Be as Good as Coneventionals - or Better

Therefore, Behnken is working together with biotechnology experts from Bayer Technology Services and several product developers at Bayer MaterialScience. “We make quality products such as raw materials for production of insulating foam.

We are only able to use a substance from biological production when the characteristics of the final product are just as good as or better than the original product. This suitability is currently being examined in a development project,” says Application Developer, Bayer MaterialScience, Dr Lutz Brassat.

Worldwide production of succinic acid could reach 60,000 metric tons in just one to two years. In fact, an OECD study forecasts that approximately 39 per cent of all value creation in the chemical industry will originate from biotechnological products and processes by 2030. “One major advantage of biomass is that it conserves fossil fuels and reduces the CO₂ footprint,” emphasizes Behnken.

And this advantage is a substantial one: according to analyses, production of succinic acid creates just one-tenth of the CO₂ that production of adipic acid does.

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