Covestro and US biotechnology company Genomatica are joining forces to research and develop high-quality materials based on renewable raw materials.
CO2 emissions could be reduced by using carbon from plants.
paylessimages - Fotolia
Conventional fossil-based resources, such as oil, are currently the most widespread source of carbon in the chemical and plastics industries. The use of carbon from plants would help reduce CO2 emissions, close the carbon cycle and be a further step towards a circular economy. With this goal in mind, Covestro announced its cooperation with the biotechnology company Genomatica at the end of March 2019. In this long-term partnership, teams from both companies are working to advance commercially viable innovations. Genomatica will contribute its skill in developing bioprocesses on an industrial scale for the production of mass chemicals. Covestro will contribute its extensive know-how in chemical process technology and application development.
Reducing dependence on fossil raw materials
"There is a growing interest on the market in environmentally friendly products based on renewable raw materials," says Dr. Klaus Schäfer, Chief Technology Officer at Covestro. "The ability to increase the amount of important materials made from biomass is essential to reducing our industry's dependence on fossil fuels and market fluctuations". Christophe Schilling, CEO of Genomatica, adds: "We are excited to support Covestro in its efforts and to provide our expertise to use biotechnology to make the necessary changes in many areas of the chemical industry."