Akzo Nobel Specialty Chemicals and Imagine Chemistry winner Renmatix collaborate
Akzo Nobel Specialty Chemicals and Renmatix, a leader in the global plant-based technology movement, will jointly develop biomass-based performance additives that improve the properties of architectural paints and construction materials.
Renmatix is one of the winners of the 2017 Imagine Chemistry challenge, a program through which Akzo Nobel Specialty Chemicals collaborates with startups, scale-ups, scientists and others to uncover business opportunities for sustainable chemistry.
Renmatix’s proprietary Plantrose Process utilizes ‘supercritical’ water under high temperature and pressure to convert biomass into cellulosic sugars and bio-fractions, which are valuable green chemistry building blocks. It is the first application under a joint development agreement signed by the companies to research, develop and commercialize novel products using “Crysto” Cellulose, a unique form of crystalline cellulose, and the newest bio-fraction isolated by Renmatix.
Outlook to the further collaboration
“I am impressed by Renmatix’s thinking and their development of a biomass conversion technology that is not only disruptive technically and economically, but also enables green chemistry,” said Geert Hofman, General Manager of Akzo Nobel Specialty Chemicals’ Performance Additives business.
“We look forward to working with Akzo Nobel Specialty Chemicals to advance their sustainability initiatives,” said Mike Hamilton, Renmatix CEO. “This agreement is significant because it demonstrates a bright future for plant-based ingredients in the industrial materials segment, and we’re uniquely positioned to enable strong performance from biobased alternatives. This collaboration highlights our efforts to partner with progressive market leaders as we work to commercialize our technology for broader industrial applications,” he said.
“We will work jointly with Renmatix to develop a range of novel cellulose-based materials for commercial use, ranging from improving personal care to cleaning and construction materials,” said Annika Karlsson, Akzo Nobel Specialty Chemicals RD&I Director for, amongst others, cellulose ethers. “This collaboration is another testament to the success of the Imagine Chemistry challenge and shows that startups, scale-ups and corporates can work together efficiently to break barriers in innovation.”
