PTT Global Chemical (GC) won an award for bio-muconic acid produced from agricultural waste, according to project news reported in the week to 28 October. The work involves a 50,000-litre fermentation pilot in Thailand.
Bio-muconic acid is a platform molecule that can be converted into adipic acid and other chemical intermediates, offering a bio-based alternative route to petroleum-derived materials.
The development was listed among biobased and circular project news alongside other industry initiatives. In the same period, Stora Enso and Shanshan Technology announced they will co-develop lignin-derived hard carbon anode materials, with a demonstration line planned in Ningbo.
BASF's Cincinnati alkyl polyglucosides expansion reached operating status on 27 October, and UPM opened its Leuna biorefinery in Germany on 15 October. That plant is still ramping up, with only enzymatic hydrolysis and lignin-based specialty chemicals at stable operation.
Heidelberg Materials put its Geseke GeZero carbon capture and storage project on hold on 22 October.
