LanzaTech produces low carbon industrial chemical

Auckland biofuels developer LanzaTech and Kansas based nylon producer Invista have signed an agreement to develop and produce a bio-based butadiene.
LanzaTech has developed a unique process which creates low carbon fuels by taking carbon monoxide-rich waste gases and converts them into ethanol and other biofuels. The New Zealand company is one of the leading developers of aviation biofuel.
As well as creating low carbon fuels, the collaboration between LanzaTech and Invista will result in the production of another low carbon bi-product, creating industrial chemicals, including nylon intermediates from the waste.
Jennifer Holmgren, CEO of LanzaTech said, “This collaboration is an important next step toward our vision of a diversified fuels and chemical portfolio. Joining forces with Invista’s world-class research team will enable us to accelerate the commercialization of a biological route to butadiene, further demonstrating that gas fermentation is an important route for the production of both fuels and chemicals.”
“We believe this collaboration effort is a great opportunity to leverage our own internal biotechnical research with the unique and impressive capabilities that LanzaTech has developed,” said Bill Greenfield, executive vice president of Invista’s nylon intermediates business.
Full commercialization of butadiene is expected during 2016.