Procter & Gamble (P&G) has granted Cargill an exclusive license to further develop and commercialise technology that converts lactic acid into bio-based acrylic acid for use in product development
'We are thrilled that P&G granted Cargill an exclusive license for this technology that converts lactic acid into bio-acrylic acid,' said Cargill in a statement.
Cargill plans to incorporate the technology into a range of applications, from super-absorbent polymers and absorbent hygiene products, to thickeners in household paints.
Cargill’s bio-industrial business global development director, Asheesh Choudhary expressed excitement about the new technology, saying, “manufacturers and brand owners have been seeking viable pathways to bio-based acrylic acid to reduce the environmental impact”.
Environmental Impact
It has been predicted that the use of bio-based acrylic acid could reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and contribute to ‘greener’ products.
Scientists at P&G recently won the American Chemical Society (ACS) 2020 Award for Affordable Green Chemistry for the proprietary technology.
The company has stated that it would take several more years of development for the technology to have an impact on consumer products in the marketplace.
Materials Science
Commenting on the development, Dr Annie Weisbrod, principal scientist for environmental stewardship and sustainability at Procter & Gamble, said, “This new technology demonstrates that we can leverage the best materials science with new bio-based solutions to deliver sustainable innovation in consumer goods production.
“This is consistent with P&G’s Ambition 2030 sustainability goals to look to new, renewable sources of raw materials for conversion into everyday products,” she added.
Elsewhere, Dr Jill Zullo, strategic marketing and innovation leader at Cargill’s bio-industrial business, said, “By using annually renewable crops, we’ll be able to contribute to farmer prosperity while delivering more renewable solutions that are estimated to have less than half the GHG footprint versus the petroleum-based equivalent.”
© 2020 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Elizabeth Schroeder. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
