BP partners with Virent and Johnson Matthey on Virent鈥檚 Bioforming庐 process for production of bio-paraxylene
04 March 2019
BP, Virent Inc. and Johnson Matthey (JM) have signed an agreement that will further advance the commercialisation of Virent鈥檚 Bioforming庐 process for production of bio-paraxylene (PX), a key raw material for the production of renewable polyester.
Virent鈥檚 Bioforming庐 technology, which is being developed with JM, produces drop-in reformate product from renewable sources that can be used to produce renewable fuels and also processed into lower carbon intensive bio-PX, the feedstock for bio- purified terephthalic acid (PTA), using existing technologies.
As part of this agreement, the parties will work together to commercialise the BioForming庐 technology 鈥� BP will contribute technical resources and has exclusive rights to negotiate becoming the sole manufacturer of bio-PX using Virent鈥檚 technology.
Charles Damianides, BP鈥檚 vice-president of Petrochemicals Technology and Licensing, said: 鈥淲e consider Virent鈥檚 technology to be the leading route to commercial quantities of renewable bio-PX that may enable BP鈥檚 existing petrochemicals plants to produce a distinctive product in support of our commitment to advance a low carbon future. In our petrochemicals business we have also introduced our PTAir product line, a low carbon PTA product, and we continue to work toward improving the efficiency of our operations.鈥�
鈥淲e have been working with JM to scale up the BioForming庐 process for production of renewable fuel and are very pleased to enter into this agreement with BP to commercialisethe technology for production of bio-PX and bio-PTA,鈥� said Dave Kettner, President of Virent. 鈥淭his is an indication of the flexibility of the BioForming庐 technology to produce both bio-fuels and bio-aromatic chemicals.鈥�
"JM is a leader in science that makes the world cleaner and healthier. In bringing this latest technology to market, we continue to apply our catalyst and process engineering expertise and capabilities to tackle some of the world鈥檚 biggest challenges. We are delighted that BP has selected this technology to support its ambitions in supplying renewable bio-PX. This is an important step in increasing the quantity of renewable feedstocks used to make polyester packaging and fibers. We will continue to use our science and engineering skills to facilitate wider adoption of this technology."