US biopolymers producer Itaconix (Stratham, New Hampshire / USA; www.itaconix.com) has agreed to supply polymers with chelating properties to Nouryon (Amsterdam / The Netherlands; www.nouryon.com), formerly AkzoNobel Specialty Chemicals. This first supply agreement between the two companies has resulted from a joint collaboration that they set up in 2017 to explore opportunities for polymers made from itaconic acid – obtained from sugars through fermentation – using Itaconix’s polymerisation technology.

Nouryon will market the polymers to its customers in the household, institutional and industrial detergent and cleaner market segments. The partners will also work together to transition many of Itaconix’s current detergent customers to Nouryon. Peter Kuijpers, Nouryon’s general manager for chelates and micronutrients, said the polymers will generate new opportunities for customers in key detergent applications, enabling greener formulations without compromises on technical performance.

In separate news, Nouryon has opened a new headquarters office and research centre in Mumbai, Maharashtra / India to support its local operations. The Dutch group is currently expanding capacity for organic peroxides in Mahad, Maharashtra, and adding a monochloroacetic acid plant in Gujarat / India. Nouryon CEO Charlie Shaver said India is an increasingly important market for the company, which sees good opportunities for sustainable growth.

The group started operations in India in 1991. It currently serves markets that include agriculture, pharmaceuticals, plastics, rubbers and composites, personal care, paints and coatings, as well as oil and gas.