Anellotech's T-Cat8 unit
Sustainable technology company Anellotech announces Toyota Tsusho Corporation as a multinational strategic equity investor and corporate partner in the renewable aromatic chemicals supply chain. Toyota Tsusho is a member of the Toyota Group and is one of the major value chain partners (along with Suntory) in the Anellotech Alliance. Anellotech focuses on producing cost-competitive BTX (benzene, toluene and xylene) from non-food biomass.
Toyota Tsusho’s investment was used to fund development of Anellotech’s Bio-TCat technology, including the installation and commissioning of Anellotech’s new, fully-integrated development and testing facility (TCat-8). The TCat-8 unit was designed by Anellotech and its R&D partner IFPEN and will use a catalyst under joint development by Anellotech and Johnson Matthey. After verification of the continuous operation of TCat-8, Anellotech Alliance partner Suntory reportedly plans to move ahead with studies to consider the development of the first commercial-scale Bio-TCat plant.
The TCat-8 unit is installed at host South Hampton Resources’ Silsbee, Texas location. Remaining construction activities required to bring the unit online are scheduled to be completed shortly, according to the company, followed by commissioning and startup of the development and testing facility later this year..
Toyota Tsusho’s interest in Anellotech’s technology is reportedly aligned with its goal of promoting sustainable bio-materials, including bio-based polyester (polyethylene terephthalate, or PET). Bio-sourced, “drop-in” BTX made from the Bio-TCat process is also useful in the manufacture of other derivative plastics including polyurethane, polycarbonate, polystyrene and nylon, according to the company. These petro-identical, but now bio-sourced, derivatives have applications including polymer packaging & textiles, automotive, construction, adhesives, paints, coatings, appliances and detergents.
For more information, visit: www.anellotech.com
