Reverdia and Protea Chemicals sign collaboration agreementReverdia and Protea Chemicals sign collaboration agreement

“Concluding this collaboration agreement with Protea Chemicals further develops Reverdia’s market globally. Protea Chemicals is a reputable and experienced chemical manufacturer and distributor in the African and Australian regions,” says Reverdia President Marcel Lubben. “Working in partnership is essential to mainstreaming the use of biomaterials and will enable consumers locally to develop downstream materials and application,” he added.

Reverdia is the joint venture between Royal DSM (Netherlands) and starch and starch-derivatives giant Roquette Frères (France). The company has operated a 10,000 metric tons/yr commercial plant for the production of succinic acid from renewable resources since December 2012, in Cassano Spinola, Italy. As the world’s first facility of this kind, the plant uses low-pH yeast technology to make its Biosuccinium. Reverdia has leased the technology since October 2014 to companies seeking to integrate biosuccinic acid production into their business offering, enabling competitive biobased materials.

South Africa-based Protea Chemicals, the chemicals division of Omnia, is a distributor of specialty, functional and effect chemicals and polymers in much of sub-Saharan Africa. The company operates from 21 sites located in all major industrial centers throughout Southern Africa, from Nairobi to Cape Town. It has extensive warehousing facilities and a distribution infrastructure and capacity across the African sub-region.

“Developing our portfolio of biobased solutions is a priority for Protea Chemicals. With the addition of Biosuccinium, we can offer the leading biosuccinic acid to our customers in the biopolymers, polyurethanes and coatings sectors to make their products truly sustainable,” says Jehiel Lawrence, Head of Business Management, Protea Chemicals.

Biosuccinic acid market outlook