1, 3-Propanediol Companies

The 1,3-propanediol (PDO) market is a burgeoning realm in the chemical industry, fueled by the surging demand for sustainable alternatives and its versatility across diverse applications. This burgeoning space is fiercely competitive, with established players jostling for market share alongside innovative entrants. 

Covingtion Biomaterials, along with Primient, which manufactures plant-based propanediol made entirely from corn, have announced their involvement in the Sustainable Agriculture Program of Primient in September 2022. They help corn farmers within the mid-western United States adopt sustainable and regenerative farming practices equivalent to 100% of corn’s agricultural footprint used to produce their product lines, such as Zemea PDO, Susterra PDO, and Sorona polymer.

CovationBio, a global leader in innovative bio-based material solutions and Primient Covation LLC, the world's largest producer of 100% plant-based propylene glycol, began participation in Primient’s Sustainable Agriculture Program on September 28th, where they became partners with Truterra, LLC., Land O’Lakes’ business supporting sustainable agriculture initiatives through program delivery. The inclusion of CovationBio and Primient Covation aims to facilitate sustainability and regeneration in U.S.Midwestern corn farms, whereby this will correspond to the complete replacement of all resources required for growing corn used in manufacturing SusterraPDO, ZemeaPDO, and Sorona polymer.

Market Titans and their Playbooks:

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  Bio-Based Dominance: Leading players like DuPont Biomaterials, Roquette Frères, and Lonza are leveraging their expertise in bio-PDO production to secure a stronghold in the market. DuPont's collaboration with NatureWorks in 2023 exemplifies this focus on bio-based offerings.


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  Diversification Play: Market leaders like Eastman Chemical Company and Cargill are expanding their portfolios beyond traditional PDO applications, venturing into emerging segments like pharmaceuticals and personal care products. Eastman's foray into 3D printing filaments using PDO is a prime example.


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  Technology Thrust: Innovation is paramount in the PDO market, with players like Genomatica actively investing in R&D to develop novel fermentation processes and PDO derivatives with enhanced properties. Genomatica's partnership with Metabolic Explorer in 2023 underscores this commitment to innovation.


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  Strategic Alliances: Collaboration fosters growth, and players like PTT Global Chemical are forming strategic partnerships with downstream manufacturers to secure market access and boost demand for PDO-based products. PTT's joint venture with Mitsubishi Chemical to produce PTT fibers is a testament to this strategy.

Factors Dictating Market Share:

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  Production Capacity and Cost: Companies with efficient production processes and cost-competitive bio-PDO offerings hold an advantage. Roquette Frères' expansion of its corn-based PDO production capacity in 2023 exemplifies this focus on cost optimization.


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  Regional Presence: Strong presence in high-growth markets like Asia-Pacific and Latin America, where the demand for sustainable chemicals is soaring, is crucial for market share dominance. Cargill's expansion into China in 2023 highlights this regional focus.


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  Application Diversification: Companies catering to a diverse range of applications, particularly emerging segments like food and beverage and pharmaceuticals, gain a wider customer base and mitigate market risks. Lonza's development of PDO-based food additives showcases this strategy.


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  Sustainability Credentials: Green credentials are paramount in today's market, and players emphasizing bio-based PDO production, eco-friendly processes, and carbon footprint reduction hold a significant advantage. DuPont's bio-PDO certifications and sustainability initiatives are a prime example.

Key Players:

• Metabolic Explorer SA (France)


• zhangjiagang glory biomaterial co. Ltd (CHINA)


• Zouping Mingxing Chemical Co.Ltd (China)


• Royal Dutch Shell (Netherland)


• Shanghai Jinjinle Industry Co.Ltd (China)


• Zouping Mingxing Chemical Co.Ltd (China)


• Salicylates and Chemicals Pvt. Ltd (India)


• Chongqing Kunlun Chemical Co.Ltd (China)

Recent Developments:

July 2023: PTT Global Chemical announces a partnership with Mitsubishi Chemical to produce bio-based PTT fibers, expanding its footprint in the sustainable textiles market.

August 2023: Roquette Frères inaugurates its expanded corn-based PDO production facility in France, aiming to become the world's leading bio-PDO manufacturer.

September 2023: Eastman Chemical Company unveils its new PDO-based 3D printing filament, aiming to cater to the growing demand for sustainable additive manufacturing materials.

November 2023: Genomatica partners with Metabolic Explorer to develop a novel bacterial strain for efficient bio-PDO production, showcasing continued R&D advancements.

December 2023: DuPont Biomaterials receives certification for its bio-PDO's use in food and beverage applications, further expanding its market reach.