Anellotech

Anellotech produces renewable chemicals from pinewood pulp, using its patented technology, Thermal Catalytic Biomass Conversion (Bio-TCat). Its core chemical outputs are 100% biobased BTX (i.e. benzene, toluene, and xylene). These BTX chemicals can be used to make high-volume commodity polymers such as Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Polyurethane, and nylon. These can be used for production in a range of industries such as food packaging, beverage bottling, clothing, carpeting, automotive components, and electronic components. Anellotech’s Bio-TCat process also produces a distillate range of hydrocarbon mixtures that have end-use applications in the power generation, jet fuel, and power generation sectors. 

Since 2013 Anellotech ran a pilot plant in Texas for the fine-tuning of its Bio-TCat process. Anellotech’s first commercial plant which was under construction in 2020, will be capable of processing 500 dry tons per day of loblolly pine wood into 40,000 tons per year (860 BPSD) of products, and producing 30,000 tons of carbon monoxide and other byproduct gases for use in generating renewable electricity or used for chemical feedstock. 

Key customers and partnerships

The company partnered with Suntory (a Japanese beverage company) in 2012 to unveil a 100% bio-based bottle prototype which is fully recyclable. The bottle is made out of terephthalic acid (PTA) and mono ethylene glycol (MEG) which are derived from non-food biomass and non food grade feedstock respectively. As of December 2021, Suntory has a beverage bottle made out of 30% plant-based materials and via the partnership the company expects to develop 100% bio-based beverage bottles by 2030. With Suntory, Anellotech will use its technology to produce bio aromatics in a cost effective manner to be used in the production of fully bio-based beverage bottles. In July 2016, the company partnered with Toyota Tsusho to to develop bio-based PET made from the Bio-TCat process.

Funding and financials

In June 2020, Anellotech secured an undisclosed amount of funding from R Plus Japan, a joint venture company established in June 2020 by 12 cross industry partners within the plastics supply chain in Japan. The funding will go towards the development of Anellotech’s Plas-TCat technology, which aims to recycle postconsumer single use plastics. Both companies aim to commercialize this technology by 2027.