Biobased Succinic Acid from Corn Stover for Polybutylene Succinate (PBS) and Other Chemicals

Using corn stover — the agricultural residue left after harvesting maize — as a feedstock enables waste valorization, greenhouse gas reduction, and cost-effective biorefining.

How Biobased Succinic Acid Is Made from Corn Stover

Core Production Pathway:

1. Pretreatment and Hydrolysis
• Corn stover is pretreated (acidic, steam explosion, or enzymatic) to release fermentable C5 and C6 sugars from cellulose and hemicellulose.
2. Microbial Fermentation
• Engineered strains of Actinobacillus succinogenes, E. coli, or Basfia succiniciproducens ferment the sugars into succinic acid under anaerobic or CO₂-enriched conditions.
3. Product Recovery
• Succinic acid is recovered using crystallization, reactive extraction, or ion exchange, achieving high purity for downstream conversion.

Case Study: BioAmber’s Biobased Succinic Acid from Corn Stover

Highlights:

• BioAmber (Canada/USA) was the first to commercialize biobased succinic acid from glucose and lignocellulosic hydrolysates.
• Used Basfia succiniciproducens, a non-GMO organism capable of using mixed sugars and CO₂.
• Targeted PBS, resins, de-icers, and plasticizers markets.

Timeline & Outcome:

• 2010–2012: Pilot plant in Pomacle, France validated corn stover-based fermentation.
• 2015: Commercial plant opened in Sarnia, Canada (30,000 tons/year).
• 2016: Supplied to Mitsubishi Chemical and other partners for PBS production.
• 2018: Company filed for bankruptcy due to market overcapacity and oil price drops; IP later acquired by LCY Biosciences (Taiwan).

Global Startups and Innovators

• LCY Biosciences (Taiwan) – Operating the former BioAmber plant; targeting bio-succinic acid from mixed biomass.
• Reverdia (Netherlands) – DSM and Roquette JV (now inactive) developed Basfia-based processes.
• Succinity GmbH (Germany) – BASF and Corbion JV developed lignocellulose-based succinic acid platforms.
• Myriant (USA) – Explored succinic acid production from sorghum and corn biomass.

India’s Position

• India generates over 100 million tons of crop residues annually, including ~20–25 million tons of corn stover.
• Institutions like IISc Bangalore, NIIST-CSIR, and IIT Kharagpur have published pilot-scale work on lignocellulosic sugar fermentation to succinic acid.
• No commercial production yet, but PBS interest is rising in Indian bioplastics and packaging sectors.
• DBT–BIRAC funding, TIFAC, and Start-up India missions are supporting biorefinery platforms, including for dicarboxylic acids.

Commercialization Outlook

Market & Demand

• Global succinic acid market: ~$200–250 million (2024), with strong demand in:
• Polybutylene succinate (PBS)
• Plasticizers, solvents, surfactants
• Pharmaceuticals and food additives
• Biobased succinic acid can replace maleic anhydride derivatives in multiple industries.

Key Drivers

• Rising demand for biodegradable plastics like PBS.
• GHG savings of ~50–60% over fossil-based succinic acid.
• Government mandates in Europe and Japan for bio-based packaging and coatings.
• Corn stover valorization supports agricultural waste management and circular bioeconomy.

Challenges to Address

• Feedstock logistics for consistent lignocellulosic supply.
• Complex sugar mixtures (C5/C6) may reduce fermentation efficiency.
• High downstream purification costs and product price competition with petro routes.
• Limited proven commercial plants post-2018 (after BioAmber and Reverdia exits).

Progress Indicators

• 2010–2012: Pilot validation of corn stover-to-succinic acid by BioAmber and Reverdia.
• 2015: Commercial plant (30,000 tons/year) opens in Canada.
• 2016–2018: PBS grade succinic acid supplied to Mitsubishi, Showa Denko.
• 2021–2024: India’s DBT funds lignocellulosic biorefineries; PBS research expanded at CSIR labs.

Biobased succinic acid from corn stover is at TRL 8–9 globally (commercial-scale demonstrated but needs re-scaling post-2018 exits). In India, the TRL is 5–7, with strong lab-to-pilot activity and feedstock availability, but limited scale-up.

Conclusion

Biobased succinic acid made from corn stover unlocks a high-value pathway to biodegradable plastics like PBS, as well as green solvents and additives. Though early pioneers like BioAmber proved the technology’s scalability, commercialization now hinges on cost optimization, stable feedstock supply, and strategic partnerships. India’s large agri-waste base and growing bioeconomy framework make it a prime candidate to revive this sustainable platform chemical for the global green materials transition.

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