LONDON—Johnson Matthey Process Technologies and Rennovia have started a mini-plant to make glucaric acid from glucose using jointly developed technology.
Glucaric acid can be used to make polyester polyols, which is used in the manufacture of a range of urethane polymers, including thermoplastics polyurethane elastomers.
The firm said the mini-plant will be based on the jointly developed technology for the catalytic aerobic oxidation of glucose to glucaric acid.
The mini-plant is located at the Johnson Matthey Process Technologies Research and Development Center in Stockton, England, said David Prest, managing director of Johnson Matthey Process Technologies Chemicals Business.
The partners said in a statement that they will use the information generated by the mini plant to help them design and build commercial-scale facilities for future licensees.