The Bio-PDOTM Sustainability Story

DuPont is a company with over two centuries of science, including more than 60 years of experience in polymer and textile
science. Tate & Lyle PLC, formed in 1921, is a world leading producer of value-added food and industrial ingredients from
renewable resources such as corn, wheat and sugar. In May 2004, the two companies announced the formation of DuPont
Tate & Lyle Bio Products LLC, a joint venture that today operates one of the largest renewable materials facilities in the
world in Loudon, Tenn., and markets an innovative new product
made from corn sugar Bio-PDO propanediol.
Bio-PDO is a 100 percent renewably sourced monomer that
can add renewable content and uncompromised performance to a
variety of applications, either by itself or as an ingredient in the
production of materials that have traditionally relied on petroleum
feedstocks. Products that include Bio-PDO may qualify for
preferential procurement under programs such as the program currently
offered under the U.S. 2002 Farm Bill.
Two new grades of Bio-PDO are now available: Zemea
and Susterra. Zemea propanediol has been developed for use in
the personal care and liquid detergent categories where the products
purity level and low irritation are benefits. Susterra propanediol is
used in industrial applications where its low toxicity and
biodegradability are beneficial such as de-icing fluids, anti-freeze and
heat transfer fluids. Bio-PDO is also the key ingredient for Sorona,
DuPonts newest polymer family. Sorona offers a unique combination of attributes in a variety of applications, including
apparel, residential carpet and a variety of other applications including engineering and thermoplastic resins. Manufacture of
Sorona using Bio-PDO will begin in early 2007, providing the added feature of approximately 40 percent renewable content.
The Loudon plant receives corn sugar from the Tate & Lyle corn wet mill that resides on the same site. Corn sugar is
the key feedstock for a propriety fermentation process that produces Bio-PDO.
A life cycle assessment of the cradle-to-gate production of chemically derived propanediol verses the cradle-to-gate
production of renewably sourced Bio-PDO shows significant environmental benefits for the Loudon operations. The
production of Bio-PDO consumes 40 percent less energy and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent versus
petroleum-based propanediol. Production of 100 million pounds of Bio-PDO in the Loudon plant will save the equivalent of
10 million gallons of gasoline per year, or enough to fuel 22,000 cars annually. Bio-PDO is also certified as readily
biodegradable based on an Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) Guideline Test for
Biodegradation.
The life cycle assessment (LCA) study was externally reviewed by Prof. Konrad Saur of FiveWinds, an internationally
recognized LCA expert.
PDO Benchmarking: Energy

PDO Benchmarking: GHG

6

100

40%

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

, [kg eq. CO2/kg]

Cumulative non-renewable
energy consumption , [MJ/kg]

120

80

60

40

20

20%

Fossil PDO

Bio-PDOTM

Fossil PDO

avoidance allocation at CWM

Bio-PDOTM
avoidance allocation at CWM

40% Energy Savings of Bio-PDO process vs. Fossil PDO process

11/06

20% Less Greenhouse Gas Emissions vs. Fossil PDO Process

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The DuPont Oval, DuPont and The miracles of science , Bio-PDO and Sorona are registered trademarks or trademarks of DuPont or its affiliates.
Susterra and Zemea are trademarks of DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products LLC.