Invista, LanzaTech to develop gas fermentation process technologies

INVISTA and LanzaTech signed a research and development agreement focused on the development of gas-fermentation process technology for the production of industrial chemicals from carbon dioxide and hydrogen gas (CO2 and H2) feedstocks, the companies announced on Tuesday.

According to the agreement, INVISTA and LanzaTech will collaborate on projects to develop gas-fermentation technologies to convert CO2/H2 feedstocks into a range of industrial chemicals using proprietary INVISTA host organisms and metabolic pathways. 

If successful, the first commercialization of this technology is expected as early as 2018.

“This new agreement builds on INVISTA’s existing collaborations with LanzaTech,” said Warren Primeaux, president of INVISTA's intermediates business. “It will provide INVISTA increased access to LanzaTech’s world-class gas-fermentation process technology and help accelerate the commercialization of a number of exciting bio-derived processes currently under development at INVISTA’s bioscience laboratory in Wilton, United Kingdom.”

INVISTA says it believes biotechnology has the potential to significantly improve the cost and availability of several chemicals and raw materials that are used to produce its current products. It views gas fermentation as a key enabling technology that will allow the use of potentially advantaged gas feedstocks—such as waste industrial gases, including carbon dioxide.

According to Jennifer Holmgren, CEO of LanzaTech, this new agreement highlights the potential of gas fermentation in the bio-commodities market. 

"Together LanzaTech and INVISTA have the capabilities to create step-change improvements for today's chemical supply chain," said Holmgren. "This new agreement strengthens our relationship and signals the increased confidence INVISTA has in our capabilities."