Biobased Hexamethylenediamine (HMDA)

Hexamethylenediamine (HMDA) is a key monomer in the production of nylon-6,6, polyurethane resins, coatings, and adhesives. Traditionally derived from petroleum-based adiponitrile, HMDA production is energy-intensive and reliant on toxic intermediates like hydrogen cyanide. Biobased routes aim to decouple HMDA production from fossil feedstocks using renewable carbon sources and biological or chemo-catalytic transformation pathways.

How Biobased HMDA is Produced

Key Pathways:

1. Fermentation to Adipic Acid → Hydrogenation to HMDA
• Renewable sugars or lignocellulose are fermented to adipic acid.
• Adipic acid undergoes reductive amination (via intermediates like adiponitrile or direct amines) to yield HMDA.
2. Bio-Adiponitrile Route
• Engineered microbes convert sugars into adiponitrile intermediates.
• Catalytic hydrogenation yields HMDA.
3. Direct Microbial Production (Emerging)
• Synthetic biology approaches are under exploration to directly biosynthesize HMDA from glucose via tailored metabolic pathways, bypassing adipic acid.

Feedstocks: Glucose from corn/sugarcane, lignocellulosic hydrolysates, and glycerol.

Case Study: Genomatica & Aquafil Collaboration

Highlights:

• Developed a microbial process to produce biobased HMDA from renewable feedstocks.
• Focused on integrating it into Aquafil’s bio-nylon-6,6 supply chain.
• Aimed to displace fossil-derived intermediates and lower nylon’s carbon footprint.

Timeline & Outcome:

• 2021: Partnership announced to scale up biobased HMDA for nylon applications.
• 2022–2023: Pilot-scale demonstrations conducted.
• 2024–2025 (Planned): Targeting commercial demonstration and downstream integration into sustainable textiles.

Global Startups Working on Biobased HMDA

• Genomatica (USA) – Engineered microbial strains for bio-HMDA and other nylon monomers.
• AFYREN (France) – Produces biobased diacids (e.g., adipic acid) from sugar waste for use in HMDA production.

   

• CJ Biomaterials (Korea/USA) – Developing platform chemicals for polymers; exploring amine-based monomers from biomass.

India’s Position

India currently imports HMDA for nylon-6,6 and polyuretane industries. However:

• Bio-adipic acid R&D is active under CSIR and IITs.
• Government focus on biorefinery scale-up and green hydrogen may support amination processes.
• Indian chemical firms are assessing biobased polyamide monomers under green chemistry targets.

Commercial production is yet to begin, but upstream bio-acid and amine work is progressing.

Commercialization Outlook

Market and Demand

• Global HMDA market size: ~$7.5 billion (2024), CAGR: 4.5%.
• Major application and segments

   

• Nylon-6,6 (automotive, textiles, engineering plastics)
• Polyurethanes (coatings, adhesives, elastomers)
• Corrosion inhibitors, resins

Key Drivers

• Need to reduce GHG footprint of nylon and polyamide materials.
• Regulatory mandates on cyanide-free processes.
• Consumer brands demand sustainable textiles and biobased engineering plastics.
• Nylon circularity and chemical recyclability initiatives

Challenges to Address

• Reaction Selectivity and Yield: Multi-step conversions (adipic acid to HMDA) can lower atom economy.
• High Hydrogen Demand: Hydrogenation steps require green hydrogen for low-carbon claims.
• Separation Complexity: Purifying amine products requires energy-intensive processes.
• Scale-up Costs: Bio-HMDA production remains ~2× more expensive than fossil HMDA.
• Integration: Matching drop-in capability with legacy nylon manufacturing specs.

Progress Indicators

• 2021: Genomatica–Aquafil collaboration launched to develop bio-HMDA.
• 2022: Pilot plant studies for yield optimization and polymer-grade validation.
• 2023: Bio-adipic acid from AFYREN and other sources tested for HMDA conversion.
• 2024–2025: Expected commercial pilot scale-up.
• India: R&D under CSIR-IIP and Department of Chemicals exploring catalytic amination pathways.

Bio-based HMDA is at TRL 6–7, with pilot-scale demonstrations active and commercial production expected by 2025. Direct microbial routes are at TRL 4–5, while chemical hydrogenation of biobased adipic acid is more advanced.

Conclusion

Biobased hexamethylenediamine is central to decarbonizing nylon-6,6 and polyurethane supply chains. Innovations from Genomatica and partners are leading the shift from fossil-based intermediates to renewable feedstocks. While India lacks production today, its strengths in fermentation, hydrogen development, and polyamide demand position it well for future involvement. As bio-adipic acid and amination technologies mature, bio-HMDA will play a crucial role in creating climate-smart engineering materials and textiles.

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