Green updates: Aduro progresses in chemical recycling pilot plant; LG Chem to produce 100% plant-based acrylic acid

US recycler Aduro Clean Technologies Inc says it has completed the engineering design phase for its Hydrochemolytic Technology (HCT) Next Generation Process (NGP) pilot plant for chemical recycling, partnering with modular plant design firm Zeton.

The project has now entered the detailed design phase, where Aduro is leveraging Zeton’s expertise in pilot plant engineering, with a specific emphasis on modularity and scalability. The NGP Pilot Plant is positioned to play a pivotal role by highlighting the application of HCT on simpler materials that offer near-term commercial viability. Concurrently, the plant will function as a testing and development platform for gaining the necessary expertise to process more challenging, harder-to-recycle, and lower-value feedstocks.

The company adds it has already commenced procurement of critical long-lead equipment and begun preparing the site for the installation of the pilot plant, including infrastructure enhancements required for its operation.

Aduro is now expanding its laboratory facilities and office space in London, Ontario, to support the NGP Pilot Plant's operational needs and to accommodate the Company’s growth. These upgrades are designed to ensure the facilities can handle the requirements of the pilot plant while fostering continued growth and innovation.

Ofer Vicus, CEO of Aduro, said, “It represents the realisation of a unique solution to one of society’s most pressing challenges – the chemical recycling of hard-to-recycle plastic waste. The NGP Pilot Plant, designed entirely with industrial components, will serve as a testing ground for processing a variety of waste streams, generating valuable operational data and insights critical for refining our technology and scaling it for full commercialisation.”

Aduro Clean Technologies is a developer of patented water-based technologies to chemically recycle waste plastics; convert heavy crude and bitumen into lighter, more valuable oil; and transform renewable oils into higher-value fuels or renewable chemicals.

In other news, South Korea’s LG Chem says is entering the global market with eco-friendly raw materials derived from vegetable oils. The company announced that it will commence the production of bio-acrylic acid in the second quarter of this year. Production capacity will be ramped up to 100 tonnes/year of the prototype.

Bio-acrylic acid can be applied to various materials, including cosmetic ingredients that directly contact the skin, super absorbent polymers (SAP) for diapers, adhesives for electronics and vehicles, coating materials, and eco-friendly paints. Although attempts to develop bio-acrylic acid technology have been made worldwide, none have reached commercialisation until now, it adds.

LG Chem's bio-acrylic acid is made from 3-Hydroxypropionic acid (3HP), produced by microbial fermentation of plant-based raw materials. The product retains the same molecular structure and properties as conventional acrylic acid while being entirely plant-based.

LG Chem developed its 3HP strain and fermentation technology in-house, earning the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Certified Biobased Product label, confirming it as 100% bio-based last year.

Starting with prototype production, the company plans to actively promote the product to sustainability-driven companies in North America and Europe. The cosmetics industry, which increasingly demands plant-based and naturally derived ingredients without compromising functionality, is expected to be a key market for bio-acrylic acid.

LG Chem plans to operate a customised bio-acrylic acid production system that can respond immediately to customer needs and is considering expanding production facilities if market demand increases.

"We expect bio-acrylic acid to be an innovative product that meets the sustainability needs of our customers and the market. We will continue leading the development of eco-friendly technologies," said Song Byung-Keun, Senior Vice President and Head of Acrylates/SAP Business Unit at LG Chem.

SUBSCRIBE to Get the Latest Updates from PRA    Click Here»