How Bio-based Sebacic Acid is Produced
Key Pathways:
- Castor Oil Route (Conventional & Commercial)
- Ricinoleic acid, extracted from castor oil, is cracked and oxidized to yield sebacic acid and byproducts like undecylenic acid.
- This process is carried out using alkaline fusion or catalytic oxidation.
- Fermentative Production (Emerging)
- Engineered microbes convert glucose or fatty acids into long-chain dicarboxylic acids, including sebacic acid.
- CRISPR and metabolic engineering help extend the carbon chain via ω-oxidation or reverse β-oxidation pathways.
- Chemo-Catalytic Chain Elongation
- Short-chain bio-acids (e.g., succinic acid) undergo Kolbe electrolysis or catalytic upcycling to form sebacic acid analogues.
Feedstocks: Castor oil (primary), glucose, glycerol, lignocellulosic sugars (R&D stage).
Case Study: Jayant Agro-Organics (India)
Highlights:
- World’s largest commercial producer of sebacic acid from castor oil.
- Supplies to global markets for nylon, lubricants, plasticizers, and cosmetics.
- Operates integrated castor processing units in Gujarat.
Timeline & Outcome:
- 1990s–2000s: Jayant scales castor-to-sebacic acid process.
- 2013–2019: JV with Arkema to produce nylon-11 and bio-polyamides.
- 2023–2024: Ongoing R&D on by-product valorization and fermentation-based alternatives to increase yield and sustainability.
Global Startups Working on Bio-based Sebacic Acid
- Verdezyne (USA, now closed) – Previously worked on fermentative sebacic acid from glucose. Tech validated but never commercialized.
- Zibo Guangtong (China) – Castor-oil-based sebacic acid manufacturer; supplies to global lubricant and polymer markets.
- Biobased Innovations Inc. (Canada) – Exploring bio-fatty acid fermentation for C10/C12 diacid production.
- Evonik (Germany) – Researching microbial long-chain dicarboxylic acids including sebacic acid via ω-oxidation.
India’s Position
India accounts for ~80% of the world’s castor seed production, making it the global hub for sebacic acid manufacturing.
- Jayant Agro, Adya Oils, and Arkema India dominate castor-based acid and derivative markets.
- India exports sebacic acid to China, EU, and USA for use in polymers, lubricants, and cosmetics.
- R&D on fermentation-based sebacic acid is ongoing at IISc, ICT Mumbai, and CSIR–IICT, though not yet at pilot scale.
Commercialization Outlook
Market & Demand
- Global sebacic acid market: ~$400 million (2024), expected to reach ~$600 million by 2030.
- Key applications:
- Nylon-6,10 and Nylon-11
- Bio-lubricants and greases
- Cosmetic emollients
- Plasticizers and esters
Key Drivers
- Demand for renewable polyamides in automotive, textiles, and electronics.
- Growth of bio-lubricants as replacements for mineral oil–based greases.
- Castor oil’s availability and non-food crop status.
- International preference for low-toxicity, bio-based plasticizers.
Challenges to Address
- Feedstock Limitation: Heavily reliant on castor—vulnerable to climate and supply risks.
- Process Waste: High energy use and alkali handling in traditional alkaline fusion process.
- Fermentation Scale-Up: Fermentative sebacic acid remains at lab-to-pilot stage with no commercial plant yet.
- Byproduct Utilization: Undecylenic acid and others need better value recovery.
Progress Indicators
- 1990s–2000s: Castor oil–based sebacic acid scaled in India and China.
- 2010–2015: Verdezyne validates glucose-to-sebacic acid fermentation route.
- 2013–2020: India–France JV between Jayant and Arkema supports nylon polyamide expansion.
- 2023–2024: IITs and CSIR labs work on microbial long-chain diacid fermentation.
- 2025 (expected): India continues to expand sebacic acid derivatives; fermentation-based routes could enter pilot trials.
TRL 9 (fully commercial), especially in India and China. Fermentation and chemo-catalytic routes are at TRL 4–6, with ongoing lab and pilot studies.
Conclusion
Sebacic acid is a rare example of a bio-based platform chemical already commercialized at global scale, primarily due to India’s dominance in castor cultivation and processing. While castor oil remains the mainstay, new technologies based on fermentation and chemo-catalysis offer exciting opportunities for process diversification, waste valorization, and decentralization. As the demand for bio-nylons and green lubricants rises, bio-based sebacic acid will continue to anchor India’s position in the global bioeconomy, while newer routes open the door to broader sustainable chemical innovation.
Wish to have bio-innovations industry or market research support from specialists for climate & environment? Talk to BioBiz team – Call Muthu at +91-9952910083 or send a note to ask@biobiz.in
Expert Consulting Assistance for Indian Bioenergy & Biomaterials
Talk to BioBiz
Call Muthu – 9952910083
Email – ask@biobiz.in
