INVISTA, Plaxica work to commercialize bio-based lactic acid technology

INVISTA Performance Technologies (IPT) and Plaxica, a chemical technologies company focused on the development of technology for the production of low-cost lactic acid from biomass, have entered into a collaboration that is expected to accelerate the commercialization of Plaxica’s technology.

Under the agreement, in which INVISTA will have an option for an equity stake in Plaxica, INVISTA will provide Plaxica engineering, technical and commercial support from its global technology licensing organization. 

The two companies will work together to develop and commercialize Plaxica’s lactic acid technology, which the companies believe will offer substantial cost and performance benefits to licensees in the polylactic acid and bio-propylene glycol value chains.

“We are delighted to be working with INVISTA,” said Philip Goodier, CEO of Plaxica. “This deal gives us access to INVISTA’s considerable expertise in process technology licensing and to their global engineering, commercial and client support capabilities. 

"We are confident that Plaxica’s strong technology base and existing client relationships, combined with INVISTA’s expertise and reputation built over many years of successful licensing in the global polyester industry, will strengthen and accelerate the commercialization of our technologies," he added.

Plaxica’s market-leading lactic acid technology will soon be available from INVISTA, the company says.

“Plaxica’s technology offers an exciting opportunity to add to our technology licensing portfolio in a growing sector,” said Mike Pickens, president of IPT. “We are very happy to be collaborating with Plaxica to bring their technology to the market.”