Fourth generationMater-Bi

Presented by Novamont on 14 June, the fourth generation of Mater-Bi integrates two consolidated technologies based on complexed amides and polyesters from oils with other two new technologies of recent generation. It is ideal for a vast array of applications - flexible and rigid film, coating, moulding, extrusion and thermoforming - and is characterized by an even higher content of renewable raw materials and an even lower emissions of greenhouses gases and lower reliance on fossil fuels.
The industrialization of the new technologies will enable the company to produce two monomers from renewable sources: one from vegetable oil, using a technology – Matrìca, the first in the world - that transforms oils into azelaic acid and other acids; the other comes from sugars fermented into 1,4-BDO, a technology licensed by Genomatica for which Novament, through its subsidiary MaterBiotech, is building the first dedicated plant in the world.
At the European Bioplastics Conference in Berlin in 2009, Novamont presented a road map for future generations of Mater-Bi products; the goals put in place at that time have been pursued through the creation of a system of alliances, and approximately 300 million euro in investments, and are leading to the construction of two facilities that are the first of their kind:
- in Porto Torres (Sassari) under Matrìca, the joint venture between Novamont and Eni Versalis, for the production of monomer 1 (azelaic acid) from vegetable oil;
- in Bottrighe (Rovigo), through the subsidiary Materbiotech, for the production of monomer 2 (1,4-butanediol).
The CEO of Novamont, Catia Bastioli, confirmed: "I am convinced that integrated biorefining, focusing on a number of high added value products, represents a virtuous way of interpreting the concept of bioeconomy and a real opportunity for Italy and for Europe."