From www.slep.wpengine.com The Observer
Aiming to establish the ‘largest bio-industrial park in Canada’
A bio-industrial company with plans to build a world-scale plant in Sarnia has received a major investment from a local partner.
Lanxess announced Wednesday it has invested $10 million USD in the U.S.-based BioAmber Inc. It will also be a minority shareholder and have a seat on BioAmber’s board of directors.
The companies already have a longstanding partnership.
BioAmber will build its $80-million biosuccinic acid plant on part of the existing Lanxess site by 2013. The companies have also developed plasticizers that are sustainable alternatives to phthalate-containing formulations.
“Lanxess is actively engaged in leveraging its Sarnia site to establish the largest bio-industrial park in Canada, offering land, energy and infrastructure for the development of new bio-industrial chemicals,” said Sandy Marshall, president of Lanxess Canada in a news release.
BioAmber’s Sarnia plant is expected to create 40 full-time jobs, along with 150 construction jobs. Its initial capacity will be 17,000 tonnes per year, with plans to double by 2014.
Sarnia beat out more than 100 North American sites for the plant, said Mike Hartmann, BioAmber’s corporate affairs vice-president last August.
It was chosen for its abundance of corn, nearby facilities that make glucose, nearby colleges and universities, skilled work force and existing infrastructure.
Observer Article ID# 3480975
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