Lallemand Biofuels & Distilled Spirits (LBDS) and Braskem have unveiled a new bio-acetone production platform designed to transform ethanol facilities into producers of a high-value renewable chemical — creating a new revenue opportunity for the corn-ethanol industry without disrupting ethanol output.

 

The companies said their technology combines LBDS’ proprietary fermentation expertise with Braskem’s bio-acetone recovery process, allowing ethanol producers to generate renewable acetone as a coproduct while maintaining existing ethanol production performance.

 

“Pairing Lallemand Biofuels & Distilled Spirits’ expertise in yeast and fermentation with Braskem’s knowledge of biochemicals and biopolymers is a natural fit,” says Craig Ammann, Vice President of Business Development for LBDS. 

 

“LBDS has served ethanol producers for decades and we continuously look for options to help boost their bottom lines and shield them from market volatility. This is a unique way to do that, based on strategic partnerships.”

 

The breakthrough follows five years of joint development and validation between the two companies. Their platform uses an engineered yeast strain that enables ethanol producers to generate bio-acetone during fermentation, while Braskem’s bolt-on separation technology extracts the coproduct for commercial use.

 

Braskem will lead bio-acetone sales and market development, providing producers with access to established demand in a global acetone market valued at more than 8 million tons annually.

 

“The team at LBDS brought their expertise in yeast and their extensive knowledge of the ethanol industry, complemented by our experience in chemicals and bioproducts, to make this collaboration a success,” says Cirilo Vieira, Business Development Director – Renewables & Biochemicals at Braskem. 

 

“We are eager to offer this sustainable acetone alternative to our customers. It is a significant step for the petrochemical industry toward a sustainable future, in every sense.”

 

The companies said the renewable bio-acetone is a direct replacement for fossil-based acetone and can be used across industries including cosmetics, paints and coatings, acrylics, adhesives and personal care products. The product is described as 100% renewable, benzene-free, phenol-free and verifiable through C14 testing.