DuPont, ADM open bio-based pilot facility

FDME is a molecule derived from fructose that can be used to create a variety of bio-based chemicals and materials, including plastics, that are ultimately more cost-effective, efficient and sustainable than their fossil fuel-based counterparts.

The plant is the centerpiece of a long-standing collaboration that will help bring a greater variety of sustainably sourced biomaterials into the lives of consumers. One of the first FDME-based polymers under development by DuPont is polytrimethylene furandicarboxyate (PTF), a novel polyester also made from DuPont’s proprietary Bio-PDO. PTF is a 100 percent renewable polymer that, in bottling applications, can be used to create plastic bottles that are claimed to be lighter in weight, more sustainable and better performing. Research shows that PTF has up to 10-15 times the carbon dioxide barrier performance of traditional PET plastic, which results in a longer shelf life. With that better barrier, companies will be able to design significantly lighter-weight packages, lowering the carbon emissions and significant costs related with shipping carbonated beverages.

Nearly one-tenth of the world’s oil is used to make the plastic products for every day use. From shampoo bottles to frozen food containers, fossil fuel-based plastics are virtually impossible to avoid because of a lack of commercially available alternatives, wit the companies have identified as a significant gap in the market that bio-based FDME will help address.

Michael Saltzberg, PhD, global business director for biomaterials at DuPont Industrial Biosciences, said: ‘We’re confident FDME is both the more sustainable option and the “better for business” option.

‘This molecule, and its numerous applications, will be high-performing, cost-effective and better for the environment. ADM’s expertise in agricultural value chains and the chemistry of carbohydrates makes them the best possible business partner on this initiative. Our goal is to bring this game-changing technology to commercial scale as quickly as possible.’

Todd Werpy, chief technology officer at ADM, added: ‘Companies and consumers are of course concerned about their environmental footprint, but their bottom line will always be a key priority. This new, innovative product will help customers replace plastics with materials that are more environmentally friendly, better performing and cost efficient. We’re pleased to work with DuPont, a leader in biomaterials, to bring this innovative new portfolio of solutions to customers around the globe, and we’re excited about the future of FDME.’

US Congressman Rodney Davis attended the ribbon-cutting in Decatur and commented: ‘Illinois has always been a hub of agricultural innovation and scientific discovery, and both DuPont and ADM have been an important part of the fabric of our local farming communities. This facility is a testament to the vitality and vibrancy of my district’s workforce and the critical importance of manufacturing in and revitalizing our rural communities. I thank these companies for their continued commitment to the people of Illinois.’

DuPont Industrial Biosciences, a business unit of DowDuPont Specialty Products, works with customers across a wide range of industries to make products and industrial processes more efficient and sustainable. Through a combination of agriculture, biotechnology, chemistry and material science capabilities, it seeks to advance market-driven, bio-based options to meet the needs of a growing population, while protecting the environment for future generations. ADM is one of the world’s largest agricultural processors and food ingredient providers, ‘connecting the harvest to the home’, and making products for food, animal feed, industrial and energy uses.