Lallemand Biofuels & Distilled Spirits (LBDS) and Braskem have partnered to introduce an innovative bio-acetone production platform designed for the U.S. corn ethanol industry. The solution allows ethanol producers to manufacture renewable bio-acetone as a valuable coproduct alongside ethanol, creating an additional source of revenue without disrupting existing ethanol production processes.
The platform combines LBDS' proprietary fermentation technology with Braskem's specialized bio-acetone separation process. At the heart of the innovation is an engineered yeast strain developed by LBDS that enables acetone generation during ethanol fermentation while maintaining production efficiency. Braskem has complemented this development with a bolt-on recovery system that separates bio-acetone from ethanol after fermentation. This modular approach allows ethanol facilities to adopt the technology without requiring major modifications to their existing operations.
The collaboration follows five years of research, testing, and validation. With commercialization now underway, the companies aim to provide ethanol producers with a practical opportunity to diversify income streams while reducing exposure to fluctuations in ethanol market prices. Braskem will also oversee the commercialization, marketing, and sales of all bio-acetone produced through the platform, ensuring participating producers have access to an established customer base.
Craig Ammann, Vice President of Business Development at LBDS, highlighted that the company has supported ethanol producers for decades through fermentation expertise and continues to develop technologies that improve profitability. He noted that combining LBDS' yeast innovation with Braskem's biochemical expertise creates a strategic solution that helps producers strengthen financial performance while addressing market uncertainty.
Cirilo Vieira, Business Development Director for Renewables & Biochemicals at Braskem, emphasized that the partnership leverages the complementary strengths of both companies. He stated that Braskem's experience in chemicals and renewable products, together with LBDS' knowledge of ethanol fermentation, has enabled the development of a sustainable alternative to conventional acetone. According to Vieira, the initiative also represents another step toward expanding renewable feedstocks within the petrochemical industry.
Bio-acetone produced through this technology is a direct substitute for fossil-derived acetone and requires no changes in downstream applications. The renewable product is free from benzene and phenol and can be verified through Carbon-14 testing to confirm its renewable origin. It can be used across multiple industries, including paints and coatings, cosmetics, adhesives, acrylics, and personal care products.
With global acetone demand exceeding 8 million metric tons annually, the companies believe renewable bio-acetone offers significant commercial potential while supporting sustainability goals and expanding the portfolio of bio-based chemicals available to industrial consumers.
Impact on Product and Chemical Commodity Prices
The launch of renewable bio-acetone technology is expected to strengthen the availability of sustainable acetone without immediately disrupting the conventional acetone market. Initially, production volumes will remain limited as ethanol plants gradually adopt the platform. Over the medium to long term, wider commercialization could increase renewable acetone supply, offering manufacturers a lower-carbon alternative for coatings, adhesives, cosmetics, acrylics, and personal care products. For ChemAnalyst-tracked commodities, fossil-based Acetone prices may experience mild competitive pressure if renewable capacity expands significantly. Demand for corn ethanol could improve through value-added coproduct economics, while downstream specialty chemical markets may increasingly benefit from renewable feedstock diversification rather than immediate price volatility.
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