Solvay’s subsidiary, Advanced Biochemical Thailand Co., Ltd. (ABT) has received certification from the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) for the production of Epicerol®, a bio-based building block for renewable chemicals and resins.
The certificate covers the manufacture of bio-based epichlorohydrin (ECH), using Solvay’s innovative technology, from vegetable glycerol derived from biodiesel and oleochemical production. ABT is the first bio-based chemical operator in Asia to obtain RSB certification.
Epicerol® is 100% bio-based (?) epichlorohydrin (ECH) based on renewable glycerol. ECH is a chemical intermediate for a wide range of industries, including epoxy resins for coatings and composites. Advanced Biochemical (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (ABT) has been operating its 100 ktpa bio-ECH manufacturing unit using Solvay’s proprietary technology in Thailand since February 2012.
ABT facility in Map Ta Phut Thailand
Please explain how it can be 100% bio-based when it contains a very not bio-based chlorine atom?
Joe Porcelli
Posted by jvporcelli | December 17, 2015, 4:17 pmIsn’t chlorine natural? Produce from salt/water via electrolysis, it is as natural as it can be :). But you are probably right that it is not 100% renewable if you combine glycerine with hydrochloric acid to produce the epichlorohydrin. The 100% bio-based was stated on the press release and I did not think twice about it.
Posted by Doris de Guzman | January 5, 2016, 11:16 am