Elevance and Wilmar begin commercial shipment of specialty chemicals from new world-scale biochemical refinery in Asia

A joint venture between the Singapore agro-industrial group Wilmar International and the U.S. firm Elevance Renewable Sciences has produced its first commercial products at its biorefinery at Gresik, Indonesia.
“The technology, now proven on a global scale, is driving positive changes in the chemical industry at large by delivering novel products that improve performance and reduce environmental impact compared to alternates,” said Rahul Kale, Head of Biofuels and Oleochemicals at Wilmar International Limited. “We are pleased that start-up is complete and shipments to customers from our joint venture are now underway.”
The commercial-scale manufacturing facility produces novel specialty chemicals, including multifunctional esters such as 9-decenoic methyl ester, a unique distribution of bio-based alpha and internal olefins including decene and a premium mixture of oleochemicals. It has a capacity of 180,000 metric tons per year, with the capacity to double production.
The high-value performance specialty chemicals, olefins and oleochemicals will be used in personal care products, detergents and cleaners, lubricants and additives, engineered polymers, and other specialty chemicals markets. These specialty chemicals enable detergents to be more concentrated and clean better in cold water; improved solvency for better hard surface cleaners; lubricating base oils with improved stability and fuel economy; and unique monomers for bio-based polymers and engineered plastics, including long chain polyamides, polyurethanes and polyesters.