DuPont and Archer Daniels Midland Company recently inaugurated the world’s first bio-based furan dicarboxylic methyl ester (FDME) production plant in Decatur, Illinois. The plant is projected to introduce a variety of eco-friendly and sustainably sourced biomaterials.

United States: DuPont Industrial Biosciences (DuPont) and Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) recently inaugurated the world’s first bio-based furan dicarboxylic methyl ester (FDME) production plant in Decatur, Illinois. The plant, a flagship of the established collaboration between the two chemical giants, is anticipated to bring a variety of sustainably sourced biomaterials for the environmentally conscious end-users.

In the manufacturing of daily use plastics approximately one-tenth of the total oil produced globally is consumed. It is impossible to avoid plastics as pretty much everything is made of plastic and there is a lack of alternative sources.

DuPont and ADM’s bio-based FDME will help to bridge the gap that arises due to the lack of commercially available alternatives. FDME, derived from fructose can be used to create a variety of bio-based chemicals and materials, including plastics. These materials are comparatively cost-effective, efficient and sustainable than the fossil fuel-based plastics.

The Global Business Director for Biomaterials at DuPont Industrial Biosciences, in an interview claimed that the company is sure FDME more sustainable option, better-for-business, versatile applications, is high-performing, cost-effective and eco-friendly.

The ADM Chief Technology Officer claimed that the new product will allow the customers to replace plastics the eco-friendly FDME, without being expensive.

Polytrimethylene Furandicarboxyate (PTF), a novel polyester made from DuPont’s patented Bio-PDO™ (1,3-propanediol) is the first FDME-based polymer, under development by DuPont. PTF is a 100 percent renewable polymer, can be used to create plastic bottles that are light-weight, sustainable and better performing.

According to various researches, PTF has up to 10-15 times the CO₂ barrier performance of traditional PET plastic, which enables increased shelf life as a result companies will be able to design light-weight packages, lower the carbon emission and also cut down on costs that come with the shipping of carbonated drinks.

According to TechSci Research, the world’s first bio-based furan dicarboxylic methyl ester or FDME production pilot plant by DuPont and ADM would prove to be a stepping stone in the direction of the commercialization of bio-materials like bio-plastics and other organic chemicals as FAME plays a major role in the production of bio-plastics and bio-pesticides. The growing environmental pollution due to plastics has given rise to the need for bio-degradable plastics and other chemicals. Moreover, the increasing dependence on non-renewable sources of energy like coal and oil to produce plastic and rising soil pollution due to the presence of non-biodegradable compounds in soil is propelling the need for switching to sustainable alternatives like bio-plastic, bio-pesticides etc.

According to the recently published report by TechSci Research, “Global Bio Pesticides Market, By Type (Bio insecticides, etc.), By Crop Type, By Application (Seed Treatment, etc.), By Origin (Beneficial Insects, etc.), By Formulation, By Region, Competition Forecast and Opportunities, 2012-2026”, The global bio pesticides market stood at $ 2.45 billion in 2016 and it is projected to reach $ 11.3 billion by 2026, exhibiting an aggressive CAGR of more than 16% during the outlook period. The growth in the global bio pesticides market is expected on account of various promotional activities carried out by government agencies and groups to replace the hazardous and expensive synthetic pesticides with environment-friendly and inexpensive substitutes. In addition to this, increasing food security issues across the globe due to population outburst is further supporting the demand for bio pesticides in developing as well as developed nations. Major agrarian economies such as India, Brazil, etc., are extensively adopting sustainable crop protection products and pesticides in their farming methods, which is anticipated to drive the global bio pesticides market over the coming years.

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