Chemical company Braskem and catalysts and technology provider Haldor Topsoe have commissioned a pilot plant in Denmark to develop monoethylene glycol (MEG) from sugar. The project aims to confirm the technical and economic feasibility of producing renewable MEG on an industrial scale. The partnership will allow for the conversion of various raw materials, such as sucrose and dextrose, into MEG, which is currently made from fossil-based feedstocks. MEG is used to make PET, a widely used resin in the textile and packaging industries. The global market for MEG is valued at around $25bn.
In early-February, Braskem and Haldor Topsoe, the world leader in catalysts and technology for the chemical and refining industries, announced the commissioning of a pioneering demonstration unit for the development of monoethylene glycol (MEG) from sugar. Located in Lyngby, Denmark, the pilot plant's operation marks a decisive step in confirming the technical and economic feasibility of producing renewable MEG on an industrial scale.
Announced in 2017, the cooperation agreement between the companies focuses on developing a new technology for converting sugar into MEG at a single industrial unit, which will allow for reducing the initial investment in production and consequently making the process more competitive. Furthermore, the partnership strengthens the leading role played by Braskem and adds value to the I'm greenTM portfolio, which already features Green Polyethylene and Green EVA, both made from sugarcane.
The goal is for the Denmark plant to convert various raw materials, such as sucrose, dextrose and second-generation sugars, into MEG. Today, the compound is made from fossil-based feedstocks, such as naphtha, gas or coal. MEG is used to make PET, a resin that is widely used in the textile and packaging industries, especially for making bottles. The global market for MEG currently is at around US$25 billion.