Evonik is operating a pilot plant for bio-based ω-amino lauric acid

In Germany, Evonoik reports it began operating a pilot plant for ω-amino lauric acid in Slovenska Lupca, Slovakia, starting in early 2013. The biobased ω-amino-lauric acid is an alternative to petroleum-based laurin lactam, replacing the monomer LL in the manufacture of sustainable high-performance plastics and yields an identical compound polyamide 12.

Development of the process was funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research. Palm oil is the starting material. Evonik states that over the long run, the entirely new process has the potential to complement the butadiene-based production of PA12.

More on the story.