European Chemical Industry News & Insights

Lummus and Synthos Advance Bio-Butadiene Technology for Sustainable Rubber in Poland

At a glance
  • The bio-butadiene plant will have a capacity of 40,000 metric tons per year.
  • The project has moved to the engineering and design phase.
  • Synthos will license BASF’s butadiene extraction technology.
  • The collaboration focuses on bio-butadiene derived from bio-ethanol.

Project Milestone

Lummus Technology and Synthos S.A. have reached a significant milestone in developing advanced bio-butadiene technology. Following a successful feasibility study in 2021, the technology is now ready for implementation, and the companies are moving into the engineering and design phase.

Plant Capacity and Technology

Synthos has committed to building a plant with a capacity of 40,000 metric tons of bio-butadiene per year, doubling the initial plan. The company will license BASF’s butadiene extraction technology from Lummus and utilize Lummus’ digitalization capabilities for enhanced operational efficiency and reliability.

Industry Impact

The collaboration aims to set a new industry standard with renewable sourcing, production efficiency, and a low carbon footprint. This bio-technology is expected to contribute significantly to the production of more sustainable rubber products, aligning with the petrochemical industry's shift towards ambitious sustainability goals.

Future Developments

Synthos is focused on developing a synthetic rubber product portfolio with a reduced environmental footprint. The availability of sustainable synthetic rubber made from bio-butadiene is anticipated to play a crucial role in meeting the demands of modern mobility.

Background

In 2021, Green Circle and Synthos announced their collaboration on developing and commercializing bio-butadiene derived from bio-ethanol. This initiative aims to produce value-added, more sustainable synthetic rubber.