Early Beginning
ADM began in 1902 as Daniels Linseed Company, which produced industrial-grade linseed oil. Today, ADM’s Industrial Chemicals group creates products utilizing bio-based feedstocks including: polymers, solvents and starches from renewable sources such as corn, soy and wheat.
Meeting Today’s Demand
Today, renewable bio-based industrial chemicals fit into two emerging trends in the marketplace- the desire to improve a product’s environmental footprint and the desire to reduce the use of petroleum-based products.
As one of the world’s largest processors of renewable feedstocks, ADM is uniquely positioned to meet the world’s growing demand for bio-based products.
ADM Performance
ADM is constructing a glycols facility in Decatur, Illinois to produce propylene glycol from renewable feedstocks as an alternative to petroleum-based propylene glycol. This facility is scheduled for completion by the end of 2009.
Propylene glycol (PG) is traditionally produced from petroleum-derived propylene oxide. It is a widely used chemical in industrial and consumer products including: antifreeze, unsaturated polyester resins, heat transfer fluids, liquid detergents, paints, cosmetics and personal care products.
The proprietary ADM glycols technology uses a catalytic process known as hydrogenolysis to convert glycerin and sorbitol into propylene glycol. The process includes reacting glycerin and hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst under conditions of high temperature and pressure. The products resulting from this process include propylene glycol and water. ADM’s expertise in separation technology comes into use after the reaction when the propylene glycol is purified to both industrial standard and United States Pharmacopeia (USP) excipient grades.
Key Benefits
• Derived from renewable sources
• Production facility located in Illinois
• Available in industrial and USP excipient grades
• ADM operated transportation department with reliable truck and rail distribution capabilities
Overall Glycerol to PG
