Bio Based Succinic Acid - A One in All Platform Chemical

Source:www.bioenergyllc.com

 Succinic acid is used as a platform chemical for various industries. Until recently, Succinic acid was mainly produced as a result of some petroleum derived processes. This method is in used for generating commercial scale production of succinic acid. But now, another method of succinic acid as developed which is quite natural in nature. This new method uses renewable feedstock to produce succinic acid.   This new method is getting popular as it is eco friendly & cost competitive over the previous processes. The green and renewable nature of the bio based succinic acid makes it an alternative source over the petroleum based method. All these factors make a promising base for a highly potential market for bio based products.

Some research studies confirm the above said fact on succinic acid market. According to a report, Europe is the dominant market with 35% of market shares. Asia-Pacific is the fastest growing market with major markets like China, Japan & India.

The major geographical segmentation of the market is done as Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America and Rest of the world. The market can be also segmented on the basis of applications of succinic acid which include 1, 4 Butanediol, polyurethanes, food, pharmaceutical etc.

Source:www.chemicals-technology.com

Succinic acid comes in the category of intermediate chemicals which is used as a platform or building block to produce other chemicals used by many industries in various application areas. There is a wide range of applications for it consisting of food, metals, polymers, fibers, coatings, pharmaceutical, solvents, lubricating oils, diesel fuel and cosmetics.

This platform chemical is produced by the process of mixed-acid fermentation of carbohydrates. The same process also gives rise to production of some other chemicals like lactic acid, acetic acid, formic acid and alcohols. The output of the process varies depending on the micro-organism and cultivation method used in the process. 

When succinic acid is used in combination with 1, 4 butanediol it forms green biopolymers such as polybutylene succinate which finds its use in biodegradable packging films and disposable cutlery.

The world is slowly gaining importance of bio generated succinic acid. It is so that US Dept of Energy identifies succinic acid as one of the top 12 chemicals derived from biomass.

Manufacturing Process:

Bio-based succinic acids are produced from wheat or corn and have a greener as well as cheaper replacement for petrochemical based succinic acids.

The process of manufacturing bio based succinic acid is environment friendly and produces very less amount of toxic waste. Also, the end product produced at the end is similar to that produced by petroleum derived method. The end product generated by bio based processing does not require making any improvements to use it in the further process.

  

Another important aspect in the production of bio based succinic acid is that it requires CO2 for the anaerobic fermentation process.

Key players in the global market are as follows:

1.   BioAmber (U.S.),

2.   DSM (The Netherlands),

3.   Roquette SA (France),

4.   Myriant Technologies (U.S.),

5.   Mitsubishi Chemicals (Japan),

6.   Anqing Hexing Chemical Co. Ltd (China)

Market Analysis :

Detailed analysis of market will help marketers and manufacturers to get better understanding of the market conditions. It will help to know about market segmentation on different bases, analysing trends and forecasting revenue & volume for the considered period.

According to the data from a research in 2010, Europe holds the highest no. of market shares contributing 35% of total market. North America is the second largest market with 31% of market shares. Asia-Pacific covers 28% of market while remaining 6% is divided into rest of the world.

Source:www.marketsandmarkets.com

The global market for succinic acid is expected to grow at a CAGR of 18.7% from 2011 to 2016 reaching the revenue to $496.0 million by 2016.

The demand driving factors for succinic acid market are:

   The growing need for more sustainable processes,

   Increasing environmental concerns, and

   Reduced oil dependency

The low cost of bio succinic acid is also boosting its use in many applications area such as polyurethanes, 1, 4-butanediol, thermoplastics, plasticizers etc.

Applications:

• Succinic acid is a precursor to some specialized polyesters. It is also a component of some alkyd resins.
• Succinic acid is used in the food and beverage industry, primarily as an acidity regulator. Global production is estimated at 16,000 to 30,000 tonnes a year, with an annual growth rate of 10%.
• In nutraceutical form as a food additive and dietary supplement, succinic acid is safe and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. As an excipient in pharmaceutical products it is used to control acidity and, more rarely, in effervescent tablets.

Source:biomassmagazine.com

From above facts it can be stated that succinic acid has enormous potential in relation with economy and environment. This is why many key players in the platform chemical market are focusing their attentions to tap opportunities in this rapidly growing market.