Toray Industries announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with major Thai petrochemicals producer PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited (GC) to explore mass production technology for adipic acid made from non-edible biomass.

Toray and GC will jointly evaluate the feasibility of mass production technology and commercialization in Thailand and Japan. If business is determined viable, they aim to commercially manufacture several thousand metric tons of bio-based muconic and bio-based adipic acid annually by 2030.

Last year, both companies began jointly developing technology to produce these raw materials for nylon-6,6 from non-edible biomass-derived sugars made at Cellulosic Biomass Technology Co., a Thai company in which Toray has an 84% stake.

Toray and GC will build a supply chain to manufacture tens of thousands of metric tons of bio-based adipic acid from agricultural waste in Thailand, which is rich in natural resources. They will use this acid to make eco-friendly nylon-6,6, assisting efforts to create a circular economy and lower greenhouse gas emissions.