Myriant, UPC and Sojitz to co-develop bio-based plasticisers

Myriant Corporation (Quincy, USA), UPC (Taiwan) and Sojitz (Tokyo, Japan) on December 1, 2014 formed a three-way joint development agreement to promote bio-succinic acid based plasticisers. UPC Group, the global leading producer of plasticisers, will utilise Myriant's bio-succinic acid in the manufacture of bio-based, phthalate-free plasticisers. Simultaneously, Sojitz Corporation, Myriant's sales and marketing partner, will closely work with UPC in sales of UPC's branded bio-based plasticisers.
 
UPC aims to be a total service provider to the chemical industry including investing in new product development and innovative applications. Bio-based, phthalate-free plasticisers will meet the needs of those customers seeking high-performing, high-quality renewable chemicals to produce environmentally friendly products including plastics and plastic wraps.
 
David LeBlanc, Head of Global Sales and Marketing for Myriant, said, “Increasingly, chemical manufacturers are turning to Myriant's bio-succinic acid as a key feedstock for producing high-value, bio-based specialty chemicals and bio-products. We believe this significant recognition and increase in demand validates the quality of our product as well as our ability to be a reliable supplier of biochemicals to the petrochemicals industry.”
 
"General and specialty plasticisers are the cornerstone of UPC's business and therefore, we pride ourselves on continual innovation to meet the dynamic needs of our customers. There is a definitive increase in demand for bio-plasticisers as eco awareness becomes mainstream with consumers. As such, we evaluated several options for bio-succinic acid and ultimately, we selected Myriant for the quality and consistency of the product they produce,” said C J Maa, Senior Manager of Research & Development, Technical & Marketing Support Dept. at UPC Group.
 
Munehisa Osato, General Manager of Specialty Chemicals Dept. Chemicals Unit, Chemicals Division at Sojitz Corporation, added, “By establishing our partnership with UPC and Myriant for bio-plasticisers development, Sojitz is enhancing its presence in the 'green' chemicals industry in Asia. Bio-plasticizers made from Myriant's bio-succinic acid by UPC would be more eco-friendly, long sustainable products substitute to conventional plasticisers, delivering the good satisfaction to the market which is our aim and long term responsibility.”