Butadiene fromrenewable sources

A memorandum of agreement has been signed by Versalis, Novamont and Genomatica for the production of butadiene - the raw material for the production of synthetic rubber - from renewable sources. This agreement lays the groundwork for a joint venture that will benefit from specialist and complementary competencies: Versalist in the development of catalysis processes and plant engineering on an industrial scale, as well as in the market applications of butadiene derivatives; Novamont in the field of materials from renewable sources; Genomatica in the development of biotechnologies for the production of chemical intermediates from renewable sources. Under the agreement, Genomatica's process technology will be used by Versalis to produce butadiene on industrial scale in a sustainable manner, with the possibility of licensing to Europe, Africa and Asia.