Cargill buys BioBased Technologies' polyols product lines

Acquisition expands bio-based product options for existing customers, enables entry into new markets

Bio-based polyols are used in flexible foam markets, including automotive seats

Last Updated : Jun 01 2017 | 3:29 PM IST

Cargill has bolstered its bio-based polyol product offerings by purchasing Arkansas-based BioBased Technologies’ vegetable-based polyol product line, Agrol, and other assets.

Cargill’s industrial specialties business and BioBased Technologies are leading players in the development of soybean-based polyols that replace petroleum-based polyols enabling manufacturers to create more sustainable products for their consumers. Cargill’s BiOH product line produces bio-based polyols in various flexible foam markets, including bedding, furniture and automotive seats. BioBased Technologies provides natural polyols to the foam sector and other industrial markets.

“Combining assets and expertise of BioBased Technologies and Cargill will allow us to bring new innovations to our customers, while also expanding our offerings to serve new customers and other markets,” said Eric Kuckhoff, general manager for Cargill industrial specialties in North America.

The acquisition pairs BioBased Technologies’ unique processing model with Cargill’s global manufacturing capabilities and leverages the sustainable chemistry expertise of the two organisations. Going forward, Cargill can offer customers products that incorporate higher levels of natural polyols which reduces dependence on petroleum polyols, without sacrificing performance. Further, the acquisition will enable Cargill to expand into applications beyond the foam market, such as elastomers, sealants, coatings, binders and adhesives enabling increased sustainability efforts across those industries.

“When you combine Cargill’s size and resources with BioBased Technologies’ expertise, we are going to make substantial advances in the renewable chemistry sector in the years and decades ahead. When you have both BiOH and Agrol at your fingertips, there are tremendous opportunities in sustainable polyurethane applications for our customers and the markets we serve,” said Amy Sorrell, former chief executive officer of BioBased Technologies, and now commercial manager for Cargill industrial specialties.