Europe’s first multi-purpose fermentation plant for the continuous production of bio-based chemicals has been inaugurated in Leuna, Germany. Built at a cost of around 20 million euros, the facility will enable ThyssenKrupp to further expand its research and development activities in the area of biochemicals based on renewable raw materials. Among others, these biochemicals are used as starting materials for biodegradable plastics such as polylactic acid (PLA) and polybutylene succinate (PBS).
Bioplastics are suitable for processing into packaging materials, films and textiles. It is expected that some 4.5 million tons of polyethylene (PET) a year will be replaced by bioplastics in the coming years, helping reduce environmental impact and conserve resources.
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