Germany's VERBIO Commissions the World's First Large-Scale Bio-Based Ethylene Metathesis Plant

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On October 6, Germany's VERBIO officially commissioned a large-scale ethylene metathesis unit at the Bitterfeld-Wolfen chemical park in Saxony-Anhalt. The project uses rapeseed oil methyl ester as feedstock to produce bio-based specialty chemicals. The unit has now entered a gradual ramp-up phase, with planned future annual production of up to 60,000 tonnes of renewable chemicals.

The project's core products include methyl 9-decenoate (9-DAME) and 1-decene, of which 9-DAME has a nominal annual capacity of approximately 32,000 tonnes and 1-decene approximately 17,000 tonnes, with the remaining capacity used for other renewable chemicals. 9-DAME can be used in the production of detergents, cleaning agents, lubricants and polymers, while 1-decene is mainly used in high-performance lubricants for applications in engines, transmissions and wind power equipment.

VERBIO had previously built biodiesel, glycerol and phytosterol production facilities in Bitterfeld. With the commissioning of this ethylene metathesis unit, the local integrated biorefinery site has added a bio-based specialty chemicals production segment. The company disclosed that the combined investment in the Bitterfeld project and a supporting specialty catalyst plant in Hungary is close to EUR 100 million, with the new Bitterfeld unit adding approximately 50 jobs, while the existing site already has about 120 employees.

The unit employs olefin metathesis technology to convert rapeseed oil methyl ester into renewable molecules that can directly enter the chemical value chain. The metathesis catalyst required for the process was developed by VERBIO's subsidiary XiMo, which is also building an industrial-scale catalyst production facility in Gödöllő, Hungary, scheduled to come on stream in 2026 to supply catalyst for the Bitterfeld unit and external customers.

Construction of the project began in May 2024, and in 2026 it entered the commissioning and production preparation phase. VERBIO recently disclosed that the main construction has been completed, with on-site work shifting to testing, inspection and operational preparation, and the first product deliveries are beginning to be advanced. Following the official commissioning on October 6, the project will continue to gradually increase load in line with the process commissioning and market introduction schedule.

VERBIO plans to sell these products under the "VERBIO life chemicals" brand and to continue expanding its bio-based specialty chemicals portfolio. The company previously disclosed that it also plans to develop products such as C18 diacids, which can be used in polymers, coatings, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.