New Glycol Production Facility
Scientists at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory discovered a viable way to deliver propylene glycol from feedstock, including glycerin byproducts. Decatur, Illinois-based company ADM licensed that technology and in 2010 completed construction and commissioning of its full-scale production facility for the sole purpose of commercializing the PGRS process. The new facility has 200 million pounds annual production capacity, and achieved full operational status in March 2011. It is the only facility producing bio-based industrial propylene glycol from renewable sources in the United States.
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00:00:08 every day people arrive at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory looking for a way to improve the world through scientific discovery and Technology advancement but we don't innovate alone often times our ideas and resources give rise to Solutions through collaborative research intellectual property licenses and providing Tech technical [Music]
00:00:40 assistance take our work with Archer Daniels Midland company also known as ADM a global leader in biobased chemicals ADM is known for transforming crops into products that serve vital needs for food and energy [Music] the company discovered common ground with pnnl and pursued a partnership that is simultaneously improving Industrial
00:01:08 Products reducing petroleum consumption and protecting the environment propan glycol is a chemical that's found in a number of Industrial Products and consumer goods it's traditionally made through a petroleum based process ADM and pnnl have had a long tradition of working together to develop Technologies through that relationship we were able to
00:01:32 discover a catalyst that could allow us to make a biobased propin glycol commercially viable in 2005 ADM signed an agreement Paving the way for the company to tap into emerging capabilities at pnnl scientists had discovered a viable way to deliver propylene glycol from feed stock including glycerin byproducts after validating the proof of
00:01:57 concept ADM licensed the technology planning to commercialize a process for producing the chemical from renewable sources in 2010 ADM completed construction and commissioning of our glycol plant here in decada Illinois the plant has a capacity of 100,000 metric tons thirdparty Studies have also shown that our product has a 61% greenhouse gas reduction in comparison to the
00:02:24 petroleum analog this allows our customers to reduce their carbon footprint among the many uses of propylene glycol is as an additive to resins used in fiberglass bathtubs shower stalls and Marine applications like boat holes automotive and a variety of functional fluid applications use PG as well such as aircraft de icing fluid and
00:02:47 antifreeze the prolific use of this chemical heightens the importance of adm's move toward a Greener process and clarifies why a federal laboratory would want to help with a solution adm's relationship with pnnl really Builds on our complimentary strengths where pnnl is great at doing early stage fundamental technology ADM is great at process development and scaleup
00:03:10 technology so the combination of ADM with pnnl allowed us to buy down early stage technology risk in addition to that we were able to access some great technology skill sets that just aren't that common in a corporate environment today adm's 100,000 metric ton plant and decator Illinois is the only facility producing biobased industrial propylene glycol from
00:03:36 renewable sources in the United States in addition to delivering the chemical for a wide range of commercial uses the company is advancing toward another grade of PG that meets specifications for food applications personal products and pharmaceuticals and pnnl continues to be a key partner in Innovation Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is one of 10 of the
00:04:02 Department of Energy's Research Laboratories located in Richland Washington pnnl has been operated by battel a nonprofit international science and technology Enterprise since 1965 batt's founding philosophy parallels the Doe's mission to improve the quality of human life through science and technological innovation this goal is exemplified in
00:04:25 adm's commitment to pioneering a new way of responsibly producing a valuable chemical that respects the earth and its [Music] inhabitants at pnnl Innovation is a journey not a destination our job is to push the limits of Science and to discover beyond our immediate projects success comes from employing this knowledge to solve National
00:04:53 problems realities such as the rising costs of energy environmental sustainability and National secur security and the need for scientific discovery to fuel the engine of change we accept the challenge of our scientific Journey because we believe it makes a difference in your world so watch us discover better yet join [Music]
00:05:29 us for