Rennovia

About Rennovia

Rennovia Inc. was a specialty chemical company founded in 2009, with a focus on developing catalytic processes to produce chemicals from renewable feedstocks. The company was co-founded by Dr. Thomas Boussie and Dr. Vincent Murphy, with Robert Wedinger serving as President and CEO. Rennovia emerged from research conducted at Symyx Technologies, aiming to create cost-advantaged, bio-based alternatives to petroleum-derived chemicals.

The company's core business centered on its proprietary catalyst technology, which utilized an advanced high-throughput discovery and development platform. This enabled the development of processes for converting renewable resources, like glucose, into high-value industrial chemicals. Rennovia's business model involved developing these process technologies and then licensing them to strategic partners for commercial-scale production. One of its key collaborations was with Johnson Matthey, a global leader in process technologies, to develop and commercialize production technology for glucaric acid and adipic acid. Additionally, agricultural giant Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) made a significant $25 million equity investment in 2014 to support research and development, with plans to co-commercialize products.

Rennovia's product pipeline included several key chemical intermediates. A primary focus was adipic acid, a crucial component for producing nylon-6,6, which is used in engineering resins, fibers, polyurethanes, and plasticizers. The company also developed processes for hexamethylenediamine (HMD), the other monomer required for 100% bio-based nylon-6,6, marketed under the brand RENNLON. Other pipeline products included 1,6-hexanediol (1,6-HDO), used in coatings, adhesives, and elastomers, and glucaric acid, an intermediate for adipic acid with applications in detergents and cleaners. The company projected its bio-based processes could reduce production costs by 20-25% and significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional petroleum-based methods.

Despite its technological advancements, including operating pilot and mini-plants, Rennovia faced significant challenges. The sharp decline in oil prices diminished the cost-competitiveness of its bio-based alternatives. The company was unable to secure sufficient financing from investors or strategic partners to transition from pilot-scale to commercial production. As a result, Rennovia ceased operations in March 2018. Its intellectual property assets were sold, and its physical assets were liquidated.