Bio-based Triethyl Citrate (TEC)

Triethyl citrate (TEC) is a biodegradable, non-toxic plasticizer and solvent used in pharmaceutical coatings, cosmetics, food additives (E number E1505), and bioplastics. Conventionally produced from fossil-based ethanol and citric acid, TEC is now being produced entirely from renewable sources — making it a clean, bio-based alternative for safer consumer products.

How Bio-based Triethyl Citrate is Produced

Key Pathways:

1. Citric Acid Fermentation
• Citric acid is produced via fermentation of sugarcane molasses or corn starch using Aspergillus niger. This step is fully bio-based and commercially established.
2. Esterification with Bio-ethanol
• Citric acid is esterified with bio-ethanol (from molasses or cellulosic ethanol) using acid catalysts (e.g., sulfuric acid or p-toluenesulfonic acid) to form triethyl citrate.
3. Purification
• The esterified product is neutralized, washed, and purified via distillation to yield high-purity TEC suitable for food and pharma use.

Feedstocks: Sugarcane molasses, glucose, corn starch, ethanol (1G and 2G).

Case Study: Jungbunzlauer (Austria/France) – Natural TEC for Food and Pharma

Highlights:

• Jungbunzlauer is one of the leading global producers of fully bio-based TEC using citric acid and renewable ethanol.
• TEC used in pharmaceutical tablet coatings, chewing gum, and personal care as a non-toxic plasticizer.
• Certified non-GMO, kosher, halal, and biodegradable, meeting strict global standards.

Timeline & Outcome:

• Pre-2010: Transitioned TEC production to use only bio-ethanol and fermented citric acid.
• 2015–2020: Expanded TEC use in cosmetics and biodegradable polymer plasticization.
• 2021–2024: Supplied TEC as a safe plasticizer alternative to phthalates across Europe and Asia.

Global Startups Working on Bio-based TEC

• Myriant/GC Innovation (USA/Thailand) – Explored TEC from biobased citric acid and advanced downstream processing.
• Itaconix (UK/USA) – Though focused on itaconic acid, has platform tech applicable to citrate esters.
• Green Chemistry Innovations (Europe) – Developing solvent-free TEC synthesis from food-grade feedstocks.

India’s Position

India is well-positioned to scale bio-TEC production:

• Large-scale production of fermented citric acid from molasses and starch.
• Widespread bio-ethanol production capacity, both 1G and expanding 2G.
• Companies like Anil Bioplus, Tata Chemicals, and Godavari Biorefineries have esterification infrastructure.
• TEC is already imported and used in India’s pharma and food industry, making domestic production commercially viable.

Commercialization Outlook

Market & Demand

• Global TEC market: ~$120 million (2024), with CAGR ~6–7%.
• Applications:
• Pharma coatings (enteric release)
• Food emulsifiers and stabilizers
• Plasticizer in biopolymers (e.g., PLA, PHB)
• Cosmetics and deodorants

Key Drivers

• Regulatory pressure to eliminate phthalate-based plasticizers.
• Demand for non-toxic, biodegradable ingredients in consumer goods.
• Bio-ethanol and citric acid availability increasing globally.
• Integration into clean-label and food-grade solvent systems.

Challenges to Address

• Reaction efficiency in esterification needs optimization for scale.
• Purity standards for pharma/food require robust downstream systems.
• High cost vs. synthetic plasticizers, though offset by regulatory acceptance.
• India lacks consolidated players for TEC production despite strong feedstock availability.

Progress Indicators

• 2010–2015: Jungbunzlauer scales up fully bio-based TEC for pharma and food.
• 2016–2020: TEC adopted in biodegradable plastics and clean beauty.
• 2022–2024: TEC demand surges in Asia and Latin America as phthalate bans expand.
• India: Citric acid and ethanol production mature; early-stage interest from specialty chemical makers.

Bio-based triethyl citrate production from fermented citric acid and bio-ethanol is at TRL 9, fully commercial across food, pharma, and polymer industries.

Conclusion

Bio-based triethyl citrate is a mature, proven alternative to synthetic plasticizers and solvents in regulated and sensitive applications. With players like Jungbunzlauer leading global adoption, TEC’s renewable origin and excellent safety profile make it ideal for the pharma, cosmetic, and food industries. India already produces the key ingredients — citric acid and ethanol — making it a prime candidate for import substitution and clean-label product manufacturing. With low barriers to scale-up, TEC is a quick-win for India’s growing bio-based chemical portfolio.

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