Biochem firm Novamont investing US$112M in renewable plastics plant
by The Associated Press
The company is converting an abandoned plant near Rovigo in Italy's Po River delta to start industrial production of the chemical compound, bio-butanediol.
MILAN—Italian biochemical company Novamont has opened the first plant in the world to make a chemical compound used in the production of plastics with renewable sources.
Novamont CEO Catia Bastioli said Thursday the company has invested 100 million euros ($112 million) to convert an abandoned plant near Rovigo in Italy’s Po River delta to start industrial production of the chemical compound, bio-butanediol.
Bastioli said that Novamont’s production will be used primarily for biodegradable plastics for fruit and vegetable bags, food service products and shopping bags. The bio-butanediol chemical compound is made from sugars derived from corn biomass.
Until now, industrial production of butanediol has only been from fossil fuel sources. The plant will produce 30,000 tons a year, with the current global market running around 2 million tons.
