Royal DSM N.V. has invested an undisclosed sum in US manufacturer of renewable feedstock for chemicals. Segetis produces a new class of chemicals called levalunic ketals that can be used as replacements for petrochemicals such as plasticisers, solvents and polyols for polyurethane. The company claims that one commercial-sized levalunic ketals plant could save 900,000 bbl of oil and 425m kg of CO2 emissions annually. The company estimates that materials made from levalunic ketals, when fully commercialised, would be more cost effective than equivalents from petrochemicals due to the reduced cost of feedstock.
The investment by DSM was made as part of Segetis' series B round of fundraising for US$17.2 mln to develop its innovative technology at its currently operated 250,000 lb per annum levalunic ketals plant in Minnesota.
DSM says that the investment is in line with its plan to exploit synergies between its life science and materials divisions.
08-Jan-10 
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