Primient Covation LLC, Operating Its PDO Business Under the Name CovationBio PDO, Celebrates 20-Years of Scaleable, Biobased Solutions

NEWARK, Del., April 30, 2024—Primient Covation LLC, operating its PDO business under the name CovationBio PDO(formerly DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products LLC), proudly announces 2024 is the 20-year anniversary of the first investment to commercializeSusterra® propanediol(known as Susterra® PDO or Susterra 1,3 propanediol) and Zemea® propanediol(known as Zemea® PDO or Zemea 1,3 propanediol), the high-performance, renewably sourced biomaterials helping to reduce global dependence on petroleum-based materials across a variety of consumer and industrial applications. CovationBio PDO is the world’s first and largest producer of 100 percent bio-based 1,3 propanediol. Now, with a 77,000t (Metric Tonnes) capacity, and plans for a future expansion on the horizon, CovationBio PDO is ready to answer the growing global demand for renewably-sourced solutions across a variety of industries including adhesives, apparel, coatings, cosmetics, foods & flavors, footwear, heat-transfer fluids, home care products, inks, personal care products, and pharmaceuticals.

For two decades, CovationBio PDO has built a legacy as a versatile, scalable, sustainable solution and trusted partner for international brands. According to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal about Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12), “If the global population reaches 9.8 billion by 2050, the equivalent of almost three planets will be required to provide the natural resources needed to sustain current lifestyles. It’s in [a] businesses’ [best] interest to find new solutions that enable sustainable consumption and production patterns.”

In its 20 year history, CovationBio PDO products Susterra® PDO and Zemea® PDO have served as a responsible choice for forward thinking companies looking to reduce their carbon footprint and shift to renewable materials to meet ESG goals. They’ve also been the catalyst for many industry firsts. Highlights from the past 20-years include:

2000

DuPont, in association with Genencor, develops a patented process to create 1,3 propanediol (PDO).

2004

DuPont and Tate & Lyle enter a joint venture, DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products LLC, investing $100 million to commercialize a new, high performance, renewably sourced biomaterial.

2006

DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products LLC begins production of 1,3 propanediol at its facility in Loudon,Tennessee, USA

2007

Zemea® propanediol becomes a key ingredient in Terra Natural’s renewably sourced, non-sticky texture deodorants.

2008

Susterra® propanediol launches into high-performance unsaturated polyester resins for use in the construction, marine, and automotive industries.

2016

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) certifies Zemea® PDO and Susterra® PDO as 100% bio-based ingredients under its BioPreferred® program.

2017

Reebok announces its Cotton + Corn initiative designed to develop sustainable products “made from things that grow” and launched the first plant-based shoe utilizing Susterra® propanediol to create the sole.

2019

DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products LLC increases production by 35 million pounds.

2022

Ownership change occurs. The joint venture of DuPont Tate & Lyle LLC changes its name to Primient Covation LLC and begins to operate its PDO business under the company name CovationBio PDO as the producer of Susterra® PDO and Zemea® PDO.

CovationBio announces its work with Truterra, LLC and Primient to support regenerative farming—specifically for farmed corn. The program currently includes over 1.2 million acres of sustainably grown row crops in the U.S. Midwest, including dent corn, the ingredient used to make Susterra® PDO and Zemea® PDO.

2023

Saucony launches the corn-powered Triumph RFG featuring a midsole made from 55-percent Susterra^® propanediol. It’s Saucony’s most sustainable shoe to date, making an immediate impact to reduce its environmental footprint.

2024

CovationBio PDO continues to be the largest global producer of 100% plant-based 1,3 propanediol and begins plans for a forthcoming 33000t expansion.

Susterra® PDO Features

• A petroleum-free, high-performing, sustainable solution for a wide range of polyurethane applications
• Performance polymers in automotive, fashion, footwear, and sports. Examples of Susterra® PDO in action:
  • Saucony Midsole with 55% Susterra® based content in a performance running shoe under the Run For Good line
  • Insite® Ecocomfort® insoles with up to 60% Susterra® based content used across a variety of footwear brands and in aftermarket
  • Hyosung Spandex® for active wear usage adopted by Pangaia and other fashion brands
  • Artificial leather for shoes and car interiors
• Monomer building block for coatings and resins for industrial and wood applications or as bio-solvent in architectural coatings replacing petroleum-based materials. Susterra® PDO can also be used in adhesives and inks.
• In functional fluids such as heat transfer and engine coolants Susterra® PDO provides favorable viscosity and thermal stability characteristics

Zemea® PDO Features

• Personal Care: A solution to remove petroleum from the formula while offering sensory characteristics that are gentler for the body
• Home Care: A plant-based bio-solvent for household cleaning products replacing petroleum based glycols
• Food & Flavors: Zemea® PDO reduces bitterness and enhances sweetness in food and beverage products (limited use in USA)
• Pharmaceuticals: A bio-alternative for petroleum-based glycols