INVISTA, LanzaTech report new breakthrough in bio-butadiene technology

INVISTA and LanzaTech have developed a metabolic ‘toolkit’ that has been successfully applied to generate novel metabolic pathways to bio-derived butadiene and key precursors, such as 1,3 butanediol and 2,3 butanediol, the companies announced on Tuesday.

This breakthrough results in new direct and 2-step processes for butadiene utilizing gas-fermentation technology, the companies explained.

A metabolic toolkit integrates detailed knowledge about a bacterium’s genetic configuration with the tools to precisely customize that configuration in order to make a particular product, together with a model to accurately predict the performance of the bacterium. This work is in an early stage of development, with an aim to commercialize within the next several years, officials said.

Butadiene, a key intermediate chemical used in the production of synthetic rubber and various plastics, is used by INVISTA in its proprietary, butadiene-based adiponitrile (ADN) production technologies. ADN is a critical intermediate chemical used in the manufacture of nylon 6,6.

“This development underscores the progress made on butadiene production via gas-fermentation technology as a result of INVISTA’s collaboration with LanzaTech,” said Bill Greenfield, president of INVISTA’s intermediates business. “While we are still early in the process, we are encouraged by this breakthrough. Our ongoing collaboration will continue to leverage the strong biotechnology capabilities of both LanzaTech and INVISTA.”

This breakthrough highlights the value a metabolic toolkit can bring in developing new pathways for bio-based and bio-derived chemical production, according to project officials.

"The work with INVISTA represents a significant step in integrating the chemicals supply chain into a circular economy model," said Jennifer Holmgren, CEO of LanzaTech. "By utilizing waste carbon resources, we are decoupling the production of butadiene from today’s commodity feedstocks.”

INVISTA says it believes biotechnology has the potential to significantly improve the cost and availability of several chemicals and raw materials that are used to produce its current products. It views gas fermentation as a key enabling technology that will allow the use of potentially advantaged gas feedstocks, such as waste industrial gases including carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.

INVISTA and LanzaTech first announced their gas fermentation collaboration efforts in 2012.