Liquid Light has developed low-energy catalytic electrochemistry to convert CO2 to chemicals. Say what? Simply put, Liquid Light's technology offers a new and cost-effective way to make everyday products from plain old carbon dioxide – and reduce the overall carbon footprint for chemical production.

Today, Netherlands-based Avantium, a leading chemical technology company and a forerunner in renewable chemistry, announced it had acquired Liquid Light Inc. (Liquid Light), a company spun out from Princeton University in 2008 that has developed and patented low-energy electrochemistry technologies to convert CO2 into major chemicals. Their patent portfolio includes filings on producing multiple chemical building blocks used in large existing markets, including oxalic acid, glycolic acid, ethylene glycol, propylene, isopropanol, methyl-methacrylate and acetic acid for the production of polymers, coatings and cosmetics.

The development of electrochemistry has the potential to use CO2 as a feedstock for the sustainable production of chemicals and materials, and is seen as a ’game-changer’ for the chemical industry. The technology behind the process is simple: Take CO2 and mix it in a water-filled chamber with an electrode and a catalyst. The ensuing chemical reaction converts CO2 into a new molecule, methanol, which can be used as a fuel, an industrial solvent or a starting material for the manufacture of other chemicals. By adjusting the design of their catalyst, Liquid Light can produce a range of commercially important multi-carbon chemicals. Additionally, by using 'co-feedstocks' along with CO2, a plant built with Liquid Light's technology may produce multiple products simultaneously.

Tom van Aken, Chief Executive Officer of Avantium, said: “The acquisition of Liquid Light is an important step in our strategy to create and commercialize breakthrough technologies in renewable chemistry. It will extend our capabilities beyond catalytic conversion of biomass. This acquisition will enable the development of a powerful technology platform on the basis of carbon dioxide feedstock, meaning it turns waste into valuable products such as chemicals and plastics.”

The technology and patent portfolio of Liquid Light will be integrated into Avantium’s Renewable Chemistry business unit and its existing R&D program in electrochemistry. The combination of Liquid Light’s expertise in electrochemistry with Avantium’s expertise in catalysis and process engineering will be the basis of an unrivaled technology platform to develop novel production technologies for converting CO2 to chemicals and materials.

The integration of the Liquid Light assets into Avantium is complete and effective immediately. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.(KL)

http:// www.avantium.com