Palm kernel oil to polyamide

German speciality chemicals firmEvonikhas announced that it is producing bio-based?-amino lauric acidat a pilot-scale plant in Slovakia. The material can be used to makepolyamide 12as an alternative to petroleum-derivedlaurin lactam.

The biotechnological manufacturing process starts frompalm kernel oil, which contains large amounts of lauric acid. Evonik is already using palm kernel oil as a feedstock for other products.

The move tallies with a recent report from theNova Institutein Germany, which said that Europe has the strongest demand for bio-based polymers worldwide, but most of the production is based in Asia and the US.