Bio breakthrough for cosmetics, liquid detergents and anti-freeze

A joint venture co-owned by chemical giant DuPont and Tate & Lyle, the maker of SPLENDA™, is now shipping a new product that could bio-enable a new generation of cosmetics and other industrial products.

Bio-PDO, to be known by different names for different markets, is now available from DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products LLC, based in Loudon, Tennessee. This propanediol product, normally derived from petroleum, is made from corn sugar. It's the first facility in the world to manufacture this new bio-based product, according to the company.

Researchers used a proprietary fermentation process developed jointly by DuPont and Tate & Lyle to produce Bio-PDO using corn instead of petroleum-based feedstocks. The production of Bio-PDO consumes 40 percent less energy and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent versus petroleum-based propanediol, the company claims.

"Bio-PDO is a versatile ingredient for a number of products, and also is well suited for cosmetics, liquid detergents and industrial applications like anti-freeze," said DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products President Steven Mirshak. "We are seeing strong demand for all of our grades of Bio-PDO due to its performance, biodegradable nature, and ability to replace petroleum-derived products. Wherever a glycol is being used today, businesses should consider replacing it with our new renewable ingredient."

The first shipments of the product were sent to DuPont for the manufacture of DuPont's Sorona™ polymer, normally used in carpets and other applications, and made from oil, and to a customer evaluating a new industrial product formulated with it.

Bio-PDO will be known as Zemea™ in the personal care and liquid detergent sectors where the product's purity level and low irritation are benefits. For industrial applications, such as de-icing fluids, anti-freeze and heat transfer fluids where its low toxicity and biodegradability are beneficial, it'll be branded Susterra™.

Tate & Lyle has been developing products from renewable resources such as corn, wheat and sugar for over 80 years.