Succinic Acid and its Industrial Applications
In August 2004, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) published a study intended to evaluate and compare more than 300 molecules from the point of view of technological feasibility, size of the potential market, and interest to the chemical industry. The DOE identified succinic acid as one of the priorities among the top 12 chemicals of greatest interest.
Succinic acid is called a platform molecule or building block because it serves as the origin for numerous chemical reactions. The potential market for succinic acid is estimated at €2.5 billion, with potential uses in products such as antifreeze liquids, coolants, solvents, pigments, polyesters, intermediates for the chemical industry (butanediol and its derivatives), plasticizers, etc. These products, all of which can be derived from bio-based succinic acid, represent a safe, economical, and environmentally friendly alternative to petrochemicals to accommodate the growing consumer demand.
The fermentation technology developed by Bio-amber makes it possible to significantly reduce production costs and also positions succinic acid as an alternative building block for four-carbon chemistry. In addition the technology can be used to ferment glycerol just as effectively as sugars from wheat, corn, or lignocellulosic residues, Bio-amber guarantees a maximum of flexibility to its partners in terms of both supply (because it is not dependent on a single raw material) and the location of production facilities (production based on sugar cane and sugar beets as well as corn or wheat).