ADM starts up bio propylene glycol facility in Decatur
The company is working towards adding production of propylene glycol that meets USP specifications
Archer Daniels Midland Company saw the start-up of its biobased propylene glycol facility in Decatur, Illinois in late March and is now producing industrial-grade, biobased propylene glycol. Over the next few months, ADM will ramp up the plant’s production capacity and work towards adding production of propylene glycol that meets USP specifications.
‘When we initially started propylene glycol production at the facility in June 2010, we made high-quality product and gained confidence in our technology. We also identified several opportunities to further improve product quality,’ said Paul Bloom, business director, Industrial Chemicals.
‘We piloted the necessary design modifications, reviewed and updated our operational safety programme and then implemented the improvements at scale to bring the facility online in late March. Because ADM is committed to safely producing high-quality, biobased propylene glycol, we took time to ensure our facility was getting the right results, the right way.’
The facility has also produced certified kosher glycerin which has met USP specifications since April 2009.
ADM’s Evolution Chemicals line of biobased industrial products is derived from renewable resources such as corn and soy. Evolution Chemicals places ADM’s industrial chemicals, such as isosorbide, propylene glycol, glycerin, industrial ethanol and ethylene glycol, under one product line.
