Bio-Butanediol (BIO-BDO)

TECHNOLOGY FOR THE PRODUCTION OF BIO-BUTANEDIOL (BIO-BDO)

1,4 Butanediol (BDO) is a low viscosity glycol used as intermediate for the synthesis of other chemicals and polymers.
Thanks to the high reactivity of the two bi-functional OH groups, Butanediol is used in a wide variety of applications, including: Tetrahydrofuran (THF) and Gamma-Butyrolactone (GBL) co-production in integrated plants, Polyurethanes, Elastic Fibres, Thermoplastic Elastomers, Spandex, Polybutylene-Terephthalate (PBT), Homopolymers and Copolymers Plastics and others.

In collaboration with TECHNIP S.p.A. and Reverdia, CONSER is able to offer a new advanced biological route for the production of BDO starting from a biomass-based Succinic Acid. The new route incorporates all the experience and advantages of the CONSER patented process for the production of BDO starting from Maleic Anhydride, including the low consumptions and the milder reaction conditions.

CONSER technology is based on the esterification of Bio-Succinic Acid with methanol, followed by hydrogenation of the resulting ester, and the consequent co-production of BDO, Tetrahydrofuran (THF) and Gamma-Butyrolactone (GBL). The process allows very high flexibility in the final products distribution, with the highest purity standards, and it can be well integrated with the upstream Maleic Anhydride technology.