sustainable large-scale operations to convert renewable resources into chemical building blocks is becoming increasingly urgent and essential in reducing global dependence on fossil fuels . Multiple technology roadmaps for manufacturing biobased fuels and chemicals have been developed , but many of them rely on sugar and starch crops for feedstock . Alternative technologies that alleviate competition with food production are the subject of continuous research . NxtLevvel Biochem has implemented commercial-scale manufacturing of second-generation biomass-derived chemicals , with novel technologies in biosolvents , based on the conversion of biomass to derivatives of levulinic acid . These derivatives are considered to be key technologies for moving towards petrochemical-free green chemistry . However , commercial-scale production has long been hampered by the ‘ chicken and egg ’ situation between capital investment and market demand . NxtLevvel has broken this cycle by developing affordable technologies for production via tolling and is planning a dedicated manufacturing facility , with initial capacity of 30,000 tonnes / year . In parallel with chemical and process technology development , applications are being developed across critical consumer and industrial markets . In this article , we will provide evidence for performance improvement versus petroleum-based chemicals in a wide range of sectors , like coatings , beauty care , home and industrial cleaning , agrochemicals and adhesives . Many of these applications are based on the broad solubility parameters of the levulinates and ketals , as reflected in the Hansen Solubility Parameters ( HSPs ). In addition , we will describe the eco-friendly profile of the levulinatebased derivatives and their low hazard profile in general , making them perfect candidates for sustainable , eco-friendly , safe building blocks . A genuinely sustainable society without them is difficult to imagine .

The technology

The US Department of Energy ( DOE ) has identified levulinic acid as one of the top 12 renewable chemicals . ¹ Building on this foundation , NxtLevvel has developed a family of levulinic esters and ketals that are readily synthesised using standard catalysts and reaction conditions to produce a wide range of biobased technologies . Derivates of levulinic acid are synthesised from second generation biomass through an elegant process technology . NxtLevvel ’ s products

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50 SPECIALITY CHEMICALS MAGAZINE ESTABLISHED 1981