Industry News

Origin Materials, Indorama to Consider Bio-Based Materials Production in the U.S.

May 9, 2023

Agreement includes plans to explore converting Indorama’s U.S. facility into bio-based chemical production plant.

Origin Materials Inc. and Indorama Ventures will consider converting existing Indorama Ventures’ units in the United States to commercially produce bio-based chemicals and plastics, Origin Materials said in a May 9 press release.

Under the memorandum of understanding, the two companies will explore initiatives aimed at rapidly commercializing low-carbon, bio-based materials.

The companies will evaluate the use of Indorama’s U.S. units to convert derivatives of Origin Materials’ platform chemical chloromethylfurfural (CMF).

Potential uses for the feedstock include bio-PET (polyethylene terephthalate), bio-PTA, the advanced bio-based chemical FDCA (furandicarboxylic acid) and co-polyesters, according to Orion Materials. Possible end uses include packaging, textiles, films and automotive applications.

Origins of the CMF Platform

John Bissell and Ryan Smith formed Origin Materials in 2008, according to the company’s website. In 2016, Nestlé Waters and Danone partnered with Origin to create the NaturALL Bottle Alliance, with the goal of commercializing plant-based PET plastic. PepsiCo joined the alliance in 2018.

The company describes its process as “the original carbon-capture technology” because it involves the use photosynthesis to capture carbon dioxide and turn it into cellulose. The raw material the company uses in its process includes sustainably harvested wood and wood waste.

The technology converts the C-6 cellulose into four isolated building-block chemicals, which include CMF, hydrothermal carbon, levulinic acid and furfural. The process involves a single chemo-catalytic step with almost zero carbon loss, according to the company.

Origin Materials is in the process of scaling its technology and building a commercial-scale plant in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada, with commissioning and start-up expected by the first-quarter end of 2023.

An Origin spokesperson said the company could not disclose any further details at this time on the agreement with Indorama.

About the Author

Jonathan Katz | Executive Editor

Jonathan Katz, executive editor, brings nearly two decades of experience as a B2B journalist to Chemical Processing magazine. He has expertise on a wide range of industrial topics. Jon previously served as the managing editor for IndustryWeek magazine and, most recently, as a freelance writer specializing in content marketing for the manufacturing sector.

His knowledge areas include industrial safety, environmental compliance/sustainability, lean manufacturing/continuous improvement, Industry 4.0/automation and many other topics of interest to the Chemical Processing audience.

When he’s not working, Jon enjoys fishing, hiking and music, including a small but growing vinyl collection.

Jon resides in the Cleveland, Ohio, area.