- Groundbreaking ceremony for the world's first ethenolysis plant for renewable chemicals based on rapeseed methyl ester
- Unique process technology: Nobel Prize-winning technology being implemented
- Investment of 80 to 100 million euros
Leipzig, May 14, 2024 - Verbio is starting construction of the world's first ethenolysis plant based on rapeseed methyl ester on an industrial scale at its Bitterfeld site. This will enable the production of large quantities of bio-based specialty chemicals for use in detergents and cleaning agents, high-performance lubricants for engines and plastics. Verbio is thus supporting the chemical industry's transition from fossil to renewable raw materials.
Politicians, company representatives and business partners came together today at the ground-breaking ceremony at the Verbio site in Bitterfeld. Among the participants were Saxony-Anhalt's Minister of Economic Affairs, Sven Schulze, and the Mayor of Bitterfeld-Wolfen, Armin Schenk.
Saxony-Anhalt's Minister of Economic Affairs, Sven Schulze, explained: "Since deciding to locate in Saxony-Anhalt more than 20 years ago, Verbio has grown into a strong company in our state. With the new ethenolysis plant, Verbio is once again creating jobs in the region. In turn, the chemical industry receives renewable raw materials that can be used to reduce the consumption of fossil raw materials. Verbio is helping to ensure that Saxony-Anhalt's economy continues to pick up speed on its path towards climate neutrality. It's great that we were able to support the investments at the site with state funds."
Verbio is receiving funding for the financing of the plant as part of the Joint Task for Regional Economic Development (GRW) for particularly environmentally friendly and innovative technologies. Theodor Niesmann, CEO of Verbio SE, expressed his thanks: "Verbio is investing a total of 80 to 100 million euros in the new ethenolysis plant here at the Bitterfeld site. We are very pleased about the appreciation of the state of Saxony-Anhalt through the funding within the framework of the Joint Task for Regional Economic Development (GRW) for particularly environmentally friendly and innovative technologies".
Green solutions for the chemical industry
"Without the chemical industry, our current standard of living would not be possible. We see it as our responsibility to shape social and industrial change towards climate neutrality and ecological production with innovative technologies and green solutions. We are constantly investing in research and development. With success: we are now able to provide renewable, bio-based molecules for the chemical industry," explains Theodor Niesmann and continues: "The areas of application are diverse: they range from renewable plastics to environmentally friendly detergents or lubricants."
Due to its energy-intensive production processes and dependence on fossil resources, the chemical industry is particularly confronted with the challenges of achieving the Paris climate targets. Due to its close links with other sectors, such as the automotive industry, the chemical industry is a necessary part of many value chains.
With its innovative bio-based specialty chemicals, Verbio enables chemical processing companies to quickly switch to renewable raw materials from sustainable regional biomass. With the construction of the ethenolysis plant, Verbio is responding to the high demand in the industry. At the same time, the company is making an important contribution toCO2 reduction and accelerating the defossilization of the chemical industry.
Nobel Prize-winning technology being implemented
The ethenolysis plant is the first of its kind in the world and unique in its process technology. The starting material for production is certified and sustainably produced rapeseed oil from regional agriculture. This rapeseed oil is first used to produce biodiesel (rapeseed methyl ester) in the Verbio biorefinery. With the help of innovative catalyst systems from XiMo Hungary kft, a wholly owned subsidiary of Verbio, this biodiesel is converted into green molecules, which are used as renewable raw materials in the specialty chemicals industry.
At the same time, XiMo is building a production plant in Hungary for the manufacture of metathesis catalysts on a multi-ton scale. These will be used in Verbio's ethenolysis plant and will also be available to customers with similar applications. The technology is based on the metathesis process. One of the former founders of XiMo, Prof. Dr. Richard Schrock, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2005 for his discoveries in the field of metathesis in organic chemistry.
In many years of research, Prof. Dr. Richard Schrock and his colleagues laid the foundations for molybdenum- and tungsten-based olefin metathesis catalysts. Following the takeover of XiMo by Verbio SE, the team, led by the current Managing Director, Dr. Levente Ondi, succeeded in further developing the process for industrial application.
Bio-based specialty chemicals from Verbio
With ethenolysis, Verbio provides the market with the bio-based specialty chemicals methyl 9-decenoate (9-DAME) and 1-decene, which are used as key components in a wide range of applications. 9-DAME is a component of detergents and cleaning agents and serves as a raw material for lubricants and polymers. 1-Decene is an important basis for products in the field of high-performance lubricants, which are used in modern engines, gearboxes and wind turbines. "We are planning to expand the range of our bio-based specialty chemicals in the future, for example with C18 diacids, which can be used in polymers, coatings, pharmaceutical products or cosmetics," explains Theodor Niesmann.
The nominal capacity of the plant will be 32,000 tons per year of 9-DAME and 17,000 tons per year of 1-Decene. The aim is to produce a total of 60,000 tons per year of renewable products for the chemical industry. Verbio plans to commission the plant in 2025 and start regular production in 2026.
Strengthening the regional economy
For Verbio, the construction of the plant is an important milestone in the company's history and its international growth strategy. Mayor of Bitterfeld-Wolfen Armin Schenk praised the company's achievement: "This pioneering project marks a significant step towards a green future and illustrates Verbio SE's ongoing commitment to innovation, sustainability and environmental protection." Verbio is creating around 50 new jobs with the construction of the plant, thereby contributing to regional value creation in industry and agriculture.
Verbio has been driving the decarbonization of transport for two decades and is now tapping into a new market segment with the chemical industry. "The investment in our ethenolysis plant is an important component of our growth strategy. By diversifying our products and markets, we are expanding our business model and developing beyond the biofuel market," explains Theodor Niesmann.