Bayer MaterialScience, a leading supplier of high-tech polymers, has chosen BioAmber, an industrial biotechnology company, as the supplier of bio-succinic acid used to produce a new range of innovative, bio-based polyurethanes for textile applications that Bayer MaterialScience has begun commercializing.  

The company has launched IMPRANIL eco, a series of bio-based waterborne polyurethane dispersions with renewable content that reaches as high as 65%. 

IMPRANIL eco has been developed to address the textile needs of the sportswear/footwear, automotive and fashion industries.  The product is said to enable manufacturers to produce synthetic materials and coated fabrics with a high content of renewable materials in every layer, with high level performance, and the bio-based raw materials can be used without reformulation. 

Sustainability

“Sustainability is becoming a purchasing decision criterion for consumers and is high on the agenda for the textiles industry. IMPRANIL eco improves the ecological footprint for manufacturers, OEMs and brand owners,” said Nicholas Smith, Global Head of Textile Coating at Bayer MaterialScience.

“For the renewable raw materials for IMPRANIL eco, we are happy to have partnered with BioAmber, a technology leader that will provide a reliable supply of these precursors in sufficient scale.”

Bio-succinic acid market

BioAmber has been working for over five years on the use of bio-succinic acid in polyurethanes. Bio-succinic acid brings differentiated performance when formulated and can substitute adipic acid to bring unique properties in applications, such as synthetic leather, wood and metal coatings, elastomers and foams.

Current adipic acid use in polyurethanes is 25% of the 3 million ton global market, representing 750,000 tons of annual consumption. This market for bio-succinic acid is poised for rapid growth as manufacturers seek to increase the renewable content in their products by using more bio-based polyurethanes, the manufacturer believes.

Penetration of the polyurethanes market is part of BioAmber's broader strategy to accelerate the adoption of green chemistry in existing petrochemical supply chains. In 2014 BioAmber was selected as one of the top-ten green chemistry innovators by LAUNCH, an organization established by NASA, NIKE, the US Department of State and the US Agency for International Development.

Expertise and innovation

“Through formulation expertise and innovation, Bayer MaterialScience has shown that greener, more sustainable solutions can match the performance of existing products and be true drop-ins,” commented Babette Pettersen, BioAmber Chief Commercial Officer.

“With our 30,000 ton plant now being commissioned in Sarnia, we will reliably supply bio-succinic acid to customers spanning the polyurethane, paints and coatings, personal and home care, plastics and food markets.”

With 2014 sales of EUR 11.7 billion, Bayer MaterialScience is one of the largest polymer companies, with business activities focused on the manufacture of high-tech polymer materials and the development of innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main segments served are the automotive, electrical and electronics, construction and the sports and leisure industries.

www.materialscience.bayer.com