BASF and Renmatix to Develop Industrial Sugars from Biomass

BASF and U.S. technology provider Renmatix Inc. will jointly scale up the Renmatix Plantrose process for the production of industrial sugars based on lignocellulosic biomass. The two companies signed a non-exclusive joint development agreement.

The parties have agreed to key financial terms for future commercial licenses, which BASF can exercise at its discretion. The collaboration follows BASF’s $30 million investment in Renmatix in January 2012.

The Plantrose technology developed by Renmatix enables industrial sugar to be produced from a variety of non-edible biomass (lignocellulose) sources. The proprietary process breaks down lignocellulosic sources, such as wood, agricultural-residues or straw, into industrial sugars using supercritical water (water at high temperature and pressure).

Industrial sugars are important building blocks for various basic chemicals and intermediates that can be produced, for example, by fermentative processes.

For more information, visit www.basf.com.