Succinity announces successful plant start-up in Montmeló, Spain

The plant, located at the Corbion Purac site in Montmeló, Spain, has an annual capacity of 10,000 t and is producing commercial quantities of bio-based succinic acid for the global market. In addition to this first facility, Succinity plans a second large-scale facility. The final investment decision for this facility will be made following a successful market introduction, says the company.

“The start-up of our first facility for bio-based succinic acid represents a key milestone in our plan to become a major producer of bio-based succinic acid in the future,” commented Philipp Walter, Managing Director of Succinity. “The combined experiences of the team in Montmeló and the support from Corbion Purac and BASF have ensured the achievement of this important milestone within schedule. With the facility in Spain we will be able to serve the growing succinic acid market.”

The Succinity process is based on renewable raw materials and fixes carbon dioxide. The proprietary microorganism Basfia succiniciproducens allows for a flexible usage of different feedstocks. Furthermore, Succinity bio-based succinic acid can be produced efficiently without major waste streams thanks to a closed-loop process. An elaborate downstream processing method ensures the production of high quality bio-based succinic acid.

Based on technological advances and an increased need for renewable intermediates in different application fields, BASF and Corbion Purac have been working on the development of bio-based succinic acid since 2009. Bio-based succinic acid features a significantly improved carbon footprint compared to conventional, fossil-based succinic acid or other dicarboxylic acids. Bio-based succinic acid is a versatile building block with a significant market potential in the chemical intermediates market. It can be used in a variety of potential applications, such as bio-polymers (e. g. polybutylene succinate – PBS), polyurethanes, coatings, and life science products.