BioAmber says its Sarnia joint venture, which produces renewable chemicals from sugar instead of petroleum, has begun shipping bio-succinic acid to customers and is operating its manufacturing process at commercial scale.
Renewable chemistry company BioAmber jointly built the $141.5 million Sarnia plant with Mitsui & Co. Applications for bio-succinic acid include: plastics, paints, textiles and coatings, artificial leather, food and flavors and personal care products.
BioAmber has also confirmed the performance of its proprietary yeast in the production fermenters in Sarnia. The fermentation performance achieved is significantly above the initial targets set for 2015, and the yield and productivity levels already exceed the targets the plant was designed to hit longer term.
The bio-succinic acid being produced is of higher quality than the product previously produced in the demonstration plant located in France, the company says.
Initial shipments have started to customers so they can confirm the quality of the bio-succinic acid produced in the Sarnia plant. Management expects the Sarnia plant to be in commercial operation later this month and to increase production volumes progressively to reach full capacity in 2017.
