Braskem And Lallemand Launch Renewable Bioacetone For The Plastics Industry

Braskem and Lallemand have launched a biobased acetone production platform for the corn ethanol industry, providing a direct substitute for fossil-based acetone used in the plastics sector.

After five years of collaboration, the two parties developed an integrated supporting technology. Ethanol producers can use this technology to produce renewable acetone, and plastics manufacturers can use the product without having to reformulate their products.

Polyolefin producer and global biopolymer leader Braskem has partnered with Lallemand Biofuels & Distilled Spirits (LBDS) to commercialize a bio-acetone production platform. The renewable bio-acetone produced by this platform can directly replace fossil-based acetone, allowing plastics manufacturers to use it without changing their product formulations.

After five years of research and development, this technology is now available to the U.S. ethanol industry. Corn ethanol producers can generate bioacetone while maintaining their original ethanol production capacity and efficiency.

The global acetone market is mature, with annual demand exceeding 8 million tons. This collaboration leverages this market to respond to the growing demand for sustainable chemicals in the plastics manufacturing industry. Braskem will be fully responsible for the sales and market development of bio-acetone, providing price-protected purchasing options for ethanol producers, opening new revenue channels, and hedging against market volatility risks.

Strategic cooperation integrates the complementary advantages of both parties.

Craig Ammann, Vice President of Business Development at Lallemand Biofuels & Distilled Spirits, said: “Lallemand’s expertise in yeast and fermentation, combined with Braskem’s deep experience in biochemicals and biopolymers, makes this partnership a natural fit. For decades, LBDS has been serving ethanol producers, and we have continuously explored solutions to help them improve profitability and withstand market volatility. The technology enabled by this strategic collaboration offers a unique and viable path forward.”

This technology integrates two core systems: first, LBDS’s proprietary fermentation technology, which relies on engineered yeast strains to produce biobased acetone during fermentation; second, Braskem’s complementary separation and recovery system, which enables the separation of biobased acetone from ethanol. This modular solution allows existing ethanol plants to add biobased acetone production capacity without requiring major infrastructure modifications or disrupting normal operations.

Can be directly substituted without any formulation adjustments.

In numerous plastic-related application scenarios, bio-acetone can directly replace petroleum-based acetone, with applications covering acrylic production, coatings, adhesives, cosmetics, and personal care products. This raw material is 100% renewable and contains no benzene or phenol, and its origin can be traced through carbon-14 testing. When manufacturers use this raw material, they do not need to reformulate existing product recipes or modify production processes, yet can still meet sustainability-related requirements.

Braskem’s Director of Renewable Energy and Biochemicals Business Development, Cirilo Vieira, said: “The LBDS team brings expertise in yeast technology and deep knowledge of the ethanol industry, which, combined with our experience in chemicals and bioproducts, has made this collaboration possible. We are very excited to offer customers this sustainable alternative to acetone. In every respect, this represents an important step forward for the petrochemical industry toward a more sustainable future.”

Consolidate the leading position in the field of biopolymers in the Americas.

This bio-acetone platform further strengthens Braskem’s position as a leading biopolymer producer in the Americas and supports the company in fulfilling its circular economy commitments. Braskem will take full responsibility for the commercialization and market development of bio-acetone, eliminating market sales risks for ethanol producers while securing a stable supply of renewable feedstock for its own sustainable chemicals product line.

A guaranteed purchase business model creates a win-win scenario: ethanol producers can diversify their revenue without adding complex production processes, while plastic manufacturers can obtain renewable raw materials that align with sustainability goals. Braskem has industrial production bases in Brazil, the United States, Mexico, and Germany, and exports its products to about 70 countries, giving it the capability to drive the global large-scale supply of bio-based propylene.

Currently, plastic manufacturing enterprises are facing increasing pressure to adopt renewable raw materials and reduce carbon footprints. Bioacetone can be directly compatible with existing production systems, eliminating application barriers. Companies can quickly enhance their sustainability levels without investing capital or adjusting supply chains. This is a significant core advantage for markets that seek practical decarbonization solutions and are highly sensitive to costs.