Green tie-ups: Lummus/RWDC to scale-up PHA production; Lummus launches ethanol-to-SAF process in partnership with Braskem

Technology provider Lummus Technology and RWDC Industries, a biotechnology company developing biopolymer material solutions, have announced a binding Joint Development and Commercial Cooperation Agreement (JDCCA) to rapidly expand manufacturing and global licensing of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA). In April, Lummus and RWDC signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to cooperate on global PHA deployment initiatives.

"This agreement highlights Lummus and RWDC’s strong commitment to addressing plastic waste and the carbon footprint associated with conventional plastics production,” said Leon de Bruyn, Lummus Technology’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our partnership in this innovative space aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, reflecting our ongoing dedication to developing technologies that accelerate the use and availability of eco-friendly plastics.”

“We look forward to the value that will be created in combining Lummus’ expertise with ours to improve people’s lives and health by making PHA polymers and resins available at large scale” said Dr. Daniel Carraway, RWDC’s Chief Executive Officer. “It has always been our goal to develop sustainable materials that benefit every living thing on the planet, and this partnership is a monumental step in that direction. Lummus’ and RWDC’s decision to work together is an exciting development toward making it possible for more people to benefit from natural materials while preserving resources and our environment for future generations.”

RWDC uses plant-based oils, including post-consumer or waste cooking oils, to produce its proprietary Solon™ PHA, which can be organically recycled or composted in home and industrial composting facilities. Products or packaging made with PHA that find their way into the environment, therefore, will fully biodegrade in soil, fresh water, and marine settings, preventing persistent plastics and microplastics from accumulating in the environment. Articles produced with PHA also can be recycled, re-used or returned to the carbon cycle by way of organic recycling or composting systems.

Lummus’ interest in pursuing this partnership is testament to RWDC’s attractiveness to licensors, due to its demonstrable technology innovation and technical capabilities; commercial value proposition and unit economics; and existing global brand partnerships that continuously validate market demand.

RWDC is uniquely positioned as the only PHA manufacturer in the market to provide scalable and cost-effective biopolymer production and first- and best-in-class formulation capabilities and guidance on conversion for product development. Licensing and technology development through its forthcoming partnership with Lummus further enhances RWDC’s position as a market leader. Moreover, Lummus’ polymer expertise, illustrated through its Novolen® polypropylene technology, highlights a commitment to innovation and sustainable solutions in polyolefin technology to drive transformative change within the plastics industry.

In related news, Lummus Technology has announced the commercial availability of its ethanol to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) process technology. The technology provides operators with a large-scale, commercially demonstrated solution to reduce the aviation industry's greenhouse gas emissions.

Central to this process is Lummus and Brazilian petchem firm Braskem's technology partnership for producing green ethylene, which accelerates the use of bioethanol and supports the industry's efforts towards a carbon neutral economy.

Since 2010, Braskem has been operating an ethanol dehydration unit in Brazil. Using EtE EverGreen technology, the unit provides a foundation for producing 260 kilotonnes/year of ethylene from ethanol. Lummus has integrated this world-scale dehydration process with its light olefins oligomerisation and advanced hydroprocessing technologies through Chevron Lummus Global, a joint venture with another chemical firm Chevron.

This integrated offering makes the entire ethanol to SAF value chain available for exclusive licensing by Lummus.

"Lummus' extensive commercial experience in all steps, including conversion of ethanol feedstock and production of the SAF process, gives us a unique advantage to help our customers produce sustainable fuels," said Leon de Bruyn, President/CEO of Lummus Technology. "Our process leverages proven, commercial-scale technologies that we integrate to meet the aviation industry's growing demand for SAF and support its decarbonisation efforts."

Lummus adds its ethanol to SAF technology offers a reliable solution by integrating ethanol to ethylene (EtE), olefin oligomerisation and hydrogenation technologies in a process configuration that maximises the final yield to SAF while minimising CAPEX, OPEX and carbon emissions.

(PRA)

Subscribe to Get the Latest Updates from PRA  Please click here