Lallemand Biofuels & Distilled Spirits (LBDS) and Braskem have announced a new bio-acetone production platform for the U.S. corn ethanol industry, enabling ethanol producers to generate a high-value renewable coproduct alongside ethanol without affecting production efficiency. The technology combines LBDS' proprietary yeast and fermentation expertise with Braskem's bolt-on bio-acetone recovery process, allowing biorefineries to diversify their revenue while meeting the growing demand for sustainable chemicals. The companies said Braskem will also manage all bio-acetone sales and market development, ensuring a reliable market for the renewable product.
The innovative platform is the result of five years of joint research, development and validation. During fermentation, a specially engineered yeast strain developed by LBDS produces bio-acetone along with ethanol, while Braskem's separation technology efficiently recovers the bio-acetone without compromising ethanol production performance. The integrated solution provides ethanol plants with an opportunity to improve profitability, reduce exposure to market volatility and maximize the value of existing production infrastructure.
Craig Ammann, Vice President of Business Development at Lallemand Biofuels & Distilled Spirits, said the partnership reflects the company's long-standing commitment to helping ethanol producers improve their financial performance. He noted that combining Lallemand's expertise in yeast and fermentation with Braskem's leadership in biochemicals has created a unique opportunity for ethanol facilities to add a new, high-value coproduct while continuing normal ethanol operations.
Cirilo Vieira, Business Development Director – Renewables & Biochemicals at Braskem, said the collaboration represents an important step toward a more sustainable chemical industry. He added that the renewable bio-acetone platform offers customers an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional fossil-based acetone while supporting the transition to low-carbon industrial products.
Bio-acetone is a 100% renewable, drop-in replacement for petroleum-based acetone and can be used across a wide range of industries, including cosmetics, paints and coatings, acrylics, adhesives and personal care products. Unlike conventional acetone, it is benzene-free, phenol-free, and its renewable origin can be verified through a Carbon-14 (C14) test. With the global acetone market exceeding 8 million tonnes annually, the new technology is expected to create significant commercial opportunities for ethanol producers while expanding the availability of sustainable chemical feedstocks.
