Capacity for Bio-Based Materials and Chemicals Nearly Doubles to 13.2M Tons in 2017

In Massacusetts, Lux Research reports its forecast that bio-based material and chemical (BBMC) technologies “have reached an inflection point with companies scaling to commercial production levels and growing revenues”, according to Lux Research. The leading growth category will be intermediate chemicals like adipic acid and lactic acid, with capacity growing from 2.0 million metric tons to 4.9 million MT in 2017, while the capacity of bio-derived polymers – currently at 1.1 million MT – will grow 18% per year through 2017.

Among their findings:

•        Specialty chemicals set for boom. Specialty chemicals like farnesene will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 46% between now and 2017; companies set to benefit include players like Solazyme and Segetis.

•        North America to emerge No. 1. Today, North America ranks fourth in global capacity, but will become a leader by 2017 as American start-ups like Gevo build plants closer to home. Europe’s share of global capacity will drop from 37% in 2005 to 14% in 2017.

•        Cellulosic feedstocks struggle. First-generation sugar/starch feedstocks – such as corn and sugarcane – will remain the dominant bio-based source. Cellulosic feedstocks will grow relatively slowly, and the rise of new sources like bio-oils and waste gas will help lower cellulosics’ share from 67% to 27%.

To learn more, register for the complimentary webinar, “Taking the Next Step: The Growing Production of Bio-Based Chemical Intermediates Enables New Opportunities,” on March 4th at 11:00 EST.

The report, titled “Cultivating Capacity for Bio-based Materials and Chemicals through 2017,” is part of the Lux Research Bio-based Materials and Chemicals Intelligence service.