Green news: Pyran raises US$5 mn to commercialise bio-PDO; Teknor Apex introduces TPEs with 60% PCR content

Renewable chemicals firm Pyran Inc has announced that it is expanding sales of 1,5-pentanediol (PDO) to select customers as it has achieved critical milestones necessary to begin operating its world-scale commercial plant for the product in 2026. After securing an additional $1.5 million in new funding, Pyran has scaled its technology and produced ton quantities of its bio-based product.

The company announced it is now selling its product to early customers to allow them to qualify the bio-based product in their applications. Potential customers interested in obtaining a sample should contact the company, it added.

“Our successful manufacturing campaign with renewable feedstocks now enables customers to further expand their businesses with a better performing and more sustainable product,” said Kevin Barnett, Pyran co-founder and chief technology officer. “We have ramped up our capabilities so that our customers can do the same.”

The company recently produced tonne quantities of 1,5 PDO and validated the technology at commercial scale in a toll manufacturing facility. The toll manufacturing production run also enabled the company to gather information required for the engineering necessary for the company’s world-scale commercial plant.

Pyran uses renewable feedstocks, such as corn cobs, wood and sugarcane bagasse, to make 1,5 PDO, which enhances the performance of everyday products, such as paints, coatings, adhesives and more. The company’s renewable 5-carbon products replace expensive and supply-constrained petroleum-based chemicals.

Pyran closed on the second half of its Series A equity funding round earlier this year, raising US$1.5 million. Coupled with its initial Series A equity funding, Pyran has raised nearly US$4 million between the two tranches and approximately US$7.5 million in grants, loans and equity capital since its founding in 2018.

In other news, US materials firm Teknor Apex has introduced a new series of Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPEs), the Monprene R6 CP-10100 series, containing 60% post-consumer recycled (PCR) content, said to be a significant added value that helps brands achieve their sustainability goals without any compromise in quality or performance.

Its Monprene TPEs are used in many consumer applications from sporting goods, lawn and garden to consumer electronics, appliances and personal care. This latest series allows designers and manufacturers to improve their environmental impact by significantly reducing the carbon footprint compared to fossil-based TPEs.

The Monprene R6 CP-10100 series formulations have been optimised for achieving a minimum carbon footprint. For instance, the 70 Shore A grade, Monprene R6 CP-10170, results in a reduction of 36% in CO2e/kg TPE versus a fossil-based TPE of similar hardness.

Product carbon footprint data is available for the entire Monprene R6 CP-10100 series portfolio of products. The data has been critically reviewed by a third party to ensure compliance, says Teknor Apex.

The company also says the materials, with their high levels of post-consumer recycled content, do not sacrifice translucency or colour, making them ideal for consumer products applications with specific colour requirements.

The Monprene R6 CP-10100 series is available in standard grades from 40 to 70 Shore A and can also be tailored for a customer’s specific requirements. These grades are designed for injection moulding applications, including overmoulding onto polypropylene.

“This unique TPE offering is an important part of our complete sustainability program. We continually look to increase the sustainability of our products, while reducing the environmental impact of our manufacturing operations. This year, in support of our sustainability goals, we are proud to report that the Germany plant converted to 100% renewable energy and reduced water usage by >50%,” said Chris Smith, Market Manager.

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