The present-day chemical industry is based on oil. Many chemical products – from plastics through to detergents and solvents, to medication and crop protection products – have their origins in oil and its constituents. A research team has demonstrated an alternative manufacturing method for a major basic chemical product, succinic acid, which can be manufactured in a cost-effective, environmentally friendly and safe manner using bacteria.
Biotechnological manufacture using wood waste is either significantly cheaper or considerably more eco-friendly than conventional methods based on oil. In order to manufacture succinic acid using bacteria, glucose (grape sugar) is required as the raw material. This can be extracted from sugar beet or sugar cane, and wood is also an option.
