CovationBio divests BioPDO stake to focus on next-generation biomaterials, advancing bioPTMEG commercialization while strengthening Sorona® polymer sustainability leadership.
CovationBio® has taken a significant strategic step to sharpen its focus on next-generation sustainable materials by agreeing to divest its ownership stake in Primient Covation LLC, widely known in the market as CovationBio PDO or Primient. This business is recognized as the world’s largest producer of 100 percent bio-based 1,3 propanediol (BioPDO). As part of the transaction, Primient will remain a long-term supplier of BioPDO to CovationBio, ensuring uninterrupted production of partially bio-based Sorona® polymer, a material extensively used as a sustainable solution across global apparel and homegoods markets. The transaction was supported by Moelis & Company, which acted as exclusive financial advisor to CovationBio.
The portfolio realignment marks a deliberate shift in CovationBio’s long-term strategy. While BioPDO has been a foundational and successful technology platform, the company is now redirecting capital and resources toward accelerating innovation in emerging biomaterials. This transition aligns with CovationBio’s preparations to commercialize its newest product, bioPTMEG, with a targeted market launch in 2026. By stepping back from a mature asset while retaining supply continuity, the company aims to balance stability with innovation-driven growth.
According to Chief Executive Officer Steven Ackerman, BioPDO has played a critical role in Sorona® polymer for more than 25 years and continues to demonstrate strong market performance. However, CovationBio views BioPDO as one component of a broader ecosystem of sustainable solutions rather than the centerpiece of its future strategy. Exiting this business provides the flexibility and investment capacity needed to scale the next wave of advanced biomaterials technologies, reinforcing the company’s commitment to long-term innovation leadership.
At the center of this next phase is bioPTMEG, a second-generation bio-based polyether glycol derived from corn cobs—an agricultural byproduct that does not compete with primary food resources. Designed as a direct, drop-in alternative to conventional petroleum-based polytetramethylene ether glycol (PTMEG), bioPTMEG offers a lower-carbon option without requiring major changes to existing manufacturing processes. Its versatility positions it for use in a wide range of applications, including spandex fibers, polyurethanes, and thermoplastic elastomers. End markets span athletic and performance apparel, footwear components, industrial elastics, as well as automotive parts and accessories.
Ackerman emphasized that ease of adoption is central to CovationBio’s approach. By offering a bio-based raw material that integrates seamlessly into existing production systems, bioPTMEG reduces friction for downstream partners seeking to incorporate sustainability into their value chains without sacrificing performance or efficiency.
Alongside its future-facing innovations, CovationBio continues to build on the success of Sorona® polymer, a 37 percent plant-based material first commercialized in 2000. Over the past two decades, Sorona® has become a globally recognized ingredient known for delivering softness, stretch, durability, and breathability while maintaining a reduced environmental footprint. It is widely used across activewear, outerwear, workwear, ready-to-wear fashion, high-end apparel, carpets, and other homegoods applications, and is trusted by many leading global brands.
In September 2025, CovationBio released updated, independently reviewed Life Cycle Assessment results for Sorona® polymer. These findings confirmed substantial environmental benefits compared with conventional synthetic fibers. Specifically, Sorona® production requires 44 percent less energy and generates 170 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions than nylon 6 derived from non-renewable resources. It also emits 41 percent fewer greenhouse gases than fossil-based PET and achieves modest but meaningful reductions in both energy use and emissions compared with fossil-based PBT. Together, these results underscore CovationBio’s ongoing commitment to pairing high-performance materials with measurable sustainability gains.
