US-based agriculture conglomerate, Cargill, the French Institute of Petroleum, and process technology company, Axens, have announced that they will be collaborating to produce bio-based acrylic acid.

How we got here:

7 years ago, Proctor & Gamble filed a patent describing the conversion of lactic acid to acrylic acid using a dehydration catalyst made of metal-containing phosphate salts. Cargill (a leader in the production of lactic acid) was awarded an exclusive license to develop the technology and is bringing on a couple of companies to help commercialize the process.

Why bio-based?

One of the main uses for acrylic acid is in the production of superabsorbent polymers—the kind you'll find in diapers (P&G owns Pampers and Luvs, so that's their angle). Acrylic acid is typically produced by the oxidation of propylene, and that propylene is a product of steam cracking petroleum gases. Finding a bio-based route to acrylic acid, like through lactic acid (it's made from corn), could make diapers more sustainable.

Read the press release here.

Specialty chemicals company, Standard Lithium, has announced the successful completion of its proof-of-concept lithium extraction and crystallization technology.

The context you need:

Arkansas is home to a lot of subsurface brine, which has been used to produce bromine since the 1970s. That bromine production results in waste tail brine containing lithium. Lanxess, one of the bromine producers in the area, has a joint venture with Standard Lithium to put that lithium to use.

So what's the news?

Standard Lithium was able to extract the lithium in the form of LiCl, ship it to another pilot plant in Canada, and convert it into lithium carbonate (more details here). That lithium carbonate can then be used to produce the cathode material for lithium-ion batteries.

Read the press release here.

Norway-based silicon company, Elkem, has announced the opening of its new silicones production facility in Shanghai, China.

A little background:

Silicones are polymers of siloxane and are typically used as sealants, adhesives, lubricants, and thermal or electrical insulation. In an electric vehicle (EV) silicones are used to "ensure electrical integrity (durability, electrical insulation, fire resistance) and electronic components protection (sealing, bonding, and potting of parts)".

Why the new facility?

EVs contain on average "four times more silicones than a traditional car". As demand for EVs continues to rise (some think 1/3 of new cars sold will be electric by 2030) the demand for silicones will rise as well. This facility is a direct response to that demand and will produce silicones made specifically for EVs.

Read the press release here.