and downstream processing led
to the development of a sustainable and highly efficient manufacturing process based on a
proprietary microorganism. The bacterium used is Basfia succiniciproducens,
which produces succinic acid through natural processes and is capable of metabolizing a variety of renewable feedstocks
into succinic acid. The new process combines high efficiency with the use of renewable raw materials and the fixation of
the greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide, in the
production of succinic acid. This makes
biobased succinic acid an economically
and ecologically attractive alternative to
petrochemical raw materials.
The demand for succinic acid is anticipated to grow strongly in the years
ahead, driven mainly by bioplastics,
chemical intermediates, solvents,
polyurethanes and plasticizers, according
to the company. The two companies are
currently modifying an existing fermentation facility, at Purac’s Montmélo site
near Barcelona, Spain, for the production
of succinic acid. This plant will commence operations in late 2013 with an
annual capacity of 10,000 metric tons of
succinic acid. This is complemented by
plans for a second large-scale facility
with a capacity of 50,000 tons of succinic acid to enable the company to respond to the expected increase in
demand.
Bayer MaterialScience honored
by AkzoNobel’s A&AC division
Bayer MaterialScience has been honored by
AkzoNobel’s Automotive and Aerospace
Coatings business (A&AC) with “The Alliance Award for Superior Partnership.”
Bayer MaterialScience has long supplied the
Amsterdam-based company and world’s
largest coatings manufacturer with raw materials, primarily aliphatic and aromatic
isocyanates as well as polyurethane dispersions. The honor is awarded each year in
recognition of particularly high and consistent product quality, supply reliability, product availability and good partnership.
“We are very pleased with this award
and the appreciation shown us,” said
Daniel Meyer, head of the Coatings, Adhe-
sives, Specialties Business Unit at Bayer Ma-
terialScience. “Our goal is to be a reliable
partner for our customers, supporting their
positive development in the global market.”
“AkzoNobel A&AC is proud to recog-
nize suppliers that share our longstanding
commitment to excellence and partner-
ship,” said Frank van Ooijen, director of
operations at AkzoNobel A&AC. “Work-
ing together with Bayer Material Science
we have expanded and strengthened our
capabilities across the value chain and
that’s why they are deserving this award.”
AkzoNobel uses Desmodur N iso-
cyanates primarily in the formulation of
automotive refinishing and industrial
coatings. Aromatic isocyanates from the
Desmodur L product line have proven ef-
fective in wood and furniture coatings, for
example. Coatings formulated with Bayer
raw materials are also used in a great
many other applications and on a wide
variety of substrates. The spectrum ranges
from anticorrosion and marine coatings to
can, coil and specialty coatings.
SSCT issues call for papers
The Southern Society for Coatings Technology has issued a call for papers for its 2013 Annual
Technical Conference, held April 21-24 at the Hyatt Regency in Sarasota, Florida. The SSCT is
seeking educational technical presentations to improve the understanding of the science of
coatings. The SSCT is trying to challenge traditional methods of formulation as well as solve
conventional issues that have plagued formulators utilizing new technologies and approaches.
The papers will be reviewed solely based on their technical content and contribution. An abstract for the presentation will need to be submitted by December 1, along with a biography
and a photograph of the speaker. For further information on submitting presentations please
contact Kip Sharp, vice president of SSCT, at 337-494-5052 or via e-mail at
kip.sharp@us.sasol.com.
40 | Coatings World
www.coatingsworld.com
Clariant opens new production
unit for halogen-free flame
retardants in Hürth-Knapsack
Clariant has opened a second production
unit for the flame retardant (FR) Exolit
OP at the Hürth-Knapsack plant near
Cologne, Germany. The established non-halogenated additive is used primarily in
the electronics and electrical engineering
(E&EE) sector. The new facility doubles
the capacity for DEPAL (diethyl phos-phinic acid aluminum salt)-based FRs.
Clariant has established itself as a
world leader in non-halogenated flame retardants, according to the company. By
doubling the DEPAL capacity in Hürth,
the company is responding to the growing
demand for safe and environmentally
friendly FRs for plastics in the global