Industry News

CovationBio PDO Celebrates 20 Years of Renewably Sourced Biomaterials for Coatings

Published on 2024-05-01. Edited By : SpecialChem

TAGS: Sustainability / Natural Coatings

CovationBio PDO 20 Years Renewably Sourced Biomaterials Coatings Primient Covation announces that 2024 is the 20-year anniversary of the first investment to commercialize Susterra® Propanediol and Zemea® Propanediol. Primient Covation operates its PDO business under the name CovationBio PDO.

Susterra® Propanediol is known as Susterra® PDO or Susterra® 1,3 propanediol. Zemea® Propanediol is known as Zemea® PDO or Zemea® 1,3 propanediol. They are high-performance, renewably sourced biomaterials. They can help to reduce global dependence on petroleum-based materials across a variety of consumer and industrial applications.

100% Bio-based 1,3 propanediol Producer

CovationBio PDO was formerly named DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products. For two decades, CovationBio PDO has built a legacy as a versatile, scalable, sustainable solution and trusted partner for international brands.

CovationBio PDO is a producer of 100 percent bio-based 1,3 propanediol. CovationBio PDO has a 77,000t (metric tons) capacity and plans for a future expansion on the horizon. CovationBio PDO is ready to answer the growing global demand for renewably sourced solutions across a variety of industries. This includes adhesives, apparel, coatings, cosmetics, footwear, and foods and flavors. It also includes heat-transfer fluids, home care products, inks, personal care products, and pharmaceuticals.

Susterra® PDO and Zemea® PDO are innovative technologies that enhance product performance. They are sustainable alternatives to petroleum-derived 1,3-propanediol, 1,4 butanediol, ethylene glycol, and propylene glycol. Susterra® PDO and Zemea® PDO are made from 100% regeneratively grown dent corn from the Midwestern U.S. and processed in Loudon, Tennessee.

Related Read: Presentation - CovationBio |PDO Susterra® 1,3-PDO product info

“Susterra® and Zemea® 1,3 propanediol, give our customers an option to transition to a 100% biorenewable, raw material ingredient based on the C14, ASTM 6866 standard method. It also enables our customers to drive an overall reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and lower their carbon footprint, which contributes significantly to the global 2030-2050 climate goals,” said John Hurban, vice president of global marketing and sales at CovationBio PDO.

“In addition to the positive environmental impacts of Susterra® PDO and Zemea® PDO, our customers have access to a multi-functional molecule that has proven performance enhancements for their products. CovationBio PDO is in the process of planning its next 33000t expansion. We’re excited to be part of this journey with our value chain partners to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050,” added Hurban.

Two Decades of Highlights

CovationBio PDO products - Susterra® PDO and Zemea® PDO, have served as a responsible choice for forward thinking companies looking to reduce their carbon footprint and shift to renewable materials to meet ESG goals. They’ve also been the catalyst for many industry firsts. Highlights from the past 20-years include:

2000	DuPont, in association with Genencor, develops a patented process to create 1,3 propanediol (PDO).
2004	DuPont and Tate & Lyle enter a joint venture, DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products LLC, investing $100 million to commercialize a new, high performance, renewably sourced biomaterial.
2006	DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products LLC begins production of 1,3 propanediol at its facility in Loudon,Tennessee, USA.
2007	Zemea® propanediol becomes a key ingredient in Terra Natural’s renewably sourced, non-sticky texture deodorants.
2008	Susterra® propanediol launches into high-performance unsaturated polyester resins for use in the construction, marine, and automotive industries.
2016	The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) certifies Zemea® PDO and Susterra® PDO as 100% bio-based ingredients under its BioPreferred® program.
2017	Reebok announces its Cotton + Corn initiative designed to develop sustainable products ‘made from things that grow’ and launched the first plant-based shoe utilizing Susterra® propanediol to create the sole.
2019	DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products LLC increases production by 35 million pounds.
2022	Ownership change occurs. The joint venture of DuPont Tate & Lyle LLC changes its name to Primient Covation LLC and begins to operate its PDO business under the company name CovationBio PDO as the producer of Susterra® PDO and Zemea® PDO. CovationBio announces its work with Truterra, LLC and Primient to support regenerative farming—specifically for farmed corn. The program currently includes over 1.2 million acres of sustainably grown row crops in the U.S. Midwest, including dent corn, the ingredient used to make Susterra® PDO and Zemea® PDO.
2023	Saucony launches the corn-powered Triumph RFG featuring a midsole made from 55-percent Susterra® propanediol. It’s Saucony’s most sustainable shoe to date, making an immediate impact to reduce its environmental footprint.
2024	CovationBio PDO continues to be the largest global producer of 100% plant-based 1,3 propanediol and begins plans for a forthcoming 33000t expansion.

Susterra® PDO Features:

A petroleum-free, high-performing, sustainable solution for a wide range of polyurethane applications
Performance polymers in automotive, fashion, footwear, and sports. Examples of Susterra® PDO in action:
1. Saucony Midsole with 55% Susterra® based content in a performance running shoe under the Run For Good line
2. Insite® Ecocomfort® insoles with up to 60% Susterra® based content used across a variety of footwear brands and in aftermarket
3. Hyosung Spandex® for active wear usage adopted by Pangaia and other fashion brands
4. Artificial leather for shoes and car interiors
Monomer building block for coatings and resins for industrial and wood applications or as bio-solvent in architectural coatings replacing petroleum-based materials. Susterra® PDO can also be used in adhesives and inks.
In functional fluids such as heat transfer and engine coolants Susterra® PDO provides favorable viscosity and thermal stability characteristics

Zemea® PDO Features:

Personal Care: A solution to remove petroleum from the formula while offering sensory characteristics that are gentler for the body
Home Care: A plant-based bio-solvent for household cleaning products replacing petroleum based glycols
Food & Flavors: Zemea® PDO reduces bitterness and enhances sweetness in food and beverage products (limited use in USA)
Pharmaceuticals: A bio-alternative for petroleum-based glycols