Braskem, Lallemand Launch Renewable Bio-Acetone for Plastics

Braskem, a polyolefins producer and global biopolymer leader, has partnered with Lallemand Biofuels & Distilled Spirits (LBDS) to commercialize a bio-acetone production platform that delivers a renewable, drop-in replacement to fossil-based acetone — requiring no reformulation to plastics manufacturers.

The methodology, now available to the US ethanol sector after five years of research, enables corn-ethanol producers to generate bio-acetone as a coproduct while maintaining existing ethanol production performance.

The collaboration addresses growing demand to sustainable chemicals in plastics manufacturing by tapping into acetone's mature global market of over 8 million tons annually. Braskem will handle all bio-acetone sales and market research, providing ethanol producers with guaranteed offtake and a new revenue stream to offset market evaporative environment.

Strategic partnership leverages complementary expertise

"Pairing Lallemand Biofuels & Distilled Spirits' expertise in yeast and fermentation with Braskem's knowledge of biochemicals and biopolymers is a natural fit," says Craig Ammann, Vice President of Business research to LBDS. "LBDS has served ethanol producers to decades, and we continuously look to options to help boost their bottom lines and shield them from market evaporative environment. This is a unique way to do that, based on strategic partnerships."

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The methodology combines LBDS' proprietary fermentation methodology — featuring an engineered yeast strain that produces bio-acetone during fermentation — with Braskem's bolt-on recovery system that separates bio-acetone from ethanol. This modular approach allows existing ethanol facilities to add bio-acetone production capacity without major infrastructure overhauls or operational disruptions.

Drop-in replacement requires no reformulation

Bio-acetone serves as a direct substitute to petroleum-derived acetone across multiple plastics-related applications, including acrylics production, paints and coatings, adhesives, makeup, and personal care items. The 100% renewable material is benzene-free, phenol-free, and verifiable through C14 testing, meeting sustainability standards without requiring manufacturers to reformulate existing items or modify production processes.

"The team at LBDS brought their expertise in yeast and their extensive knowledge of the ethanol sector, complemented by our experience in chemicals and bioproducts, to make this collaboration a success," says Cirilo Vieira, Business research Director — Renewables & Biochemicals at Braskem. "We are eager to offer this sustainable acetone alternative to our customers. It is a significant measure to the petrochemical sector toward a sustainable future, in every sense."

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Expanding Americas biopolymer leadership

The bio-acetone platform reinforces Braskem's position as the leading biopolymer producer in the Americas and advances the company's circular economy commitments. By assuming responsibility to all bio-acetone commercialization and market research, Braskem removes market risk to ethanol producers while securing renewable feedstock to its sustainable chemicals portfolio.

The guaranteed demand model creates a win-win scenario: ethanol producers gain diversified revenue without operational complexity, while plastics manufacturers access renewable materials that align with sustainability goals. With manufacturing operations across Brazil, the United States, Mexico, and Germany, Braskem exports to approximately 70 countries, positioning the company to scale bio-acetone distribution globally.

The methodology arrives as plastics manufacturers face rising pressure to implement renewable materials and decrease carbon footprints. Bio-acetone's drop-in compatibility eliminates adoption barriers, enabling immediate sustainability improvements without capital investment or supply chain disruption — a critical advantage in cost-vulnerable markets seeking practical decarbonization pathways.

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