New PHA plant to be constructed in Parma

The project will be carried out by Sebiplast s.r.l., a controlled company of the SECI Group, at the existing production site of the sugar factory managed by the operating company of the SECI Group, Sadam S.p.A.

By locating the new PHA plant at the San Quirico (PR) production site, it will benefit from synergies and common services with the sugar factory, without interfering with the latter's production activity.

The first part of the year will see the start of detailed engineering activities and the purchase of critical equipment, as well as the preparation of the site and the demolition work necessary to ready the area for construction of the plant. The project is expected to come on stream in approximately 24 months, with an initial production capacity of 5,000 tons /year. The plant design will include the possibility to scale up to 10,000 tons / year and possible future additions with other industrial activities related to green chemistry, which are part of the development and diversification plans of the Group.

The PHAs (polyhydroxyalkanoates) are bioplastics that can replace several conventional polymers currently made with petrochemical processes using hydrocarbons. The PHAs developed by Bio-on guarantee the same thermo-mechanical properties as conventional plastics with the advantage of being 100% naturally biodegradable.

"We are satisfied to continue this important journey - said Massimo Maccaferri, President of Sadam - with the support of the Region that has released a first tranche of funding for the implementation of the first design phases and will allow us to realize this important innovation with enthusiasm. It is a very positive result also for the growth of our Group in the new "green chemistry" sector, with an eco-compatible and eco- sustainable approach".

"We are proud to realize an important production project together with the Maccaferri Group - explains Marco Astorri, President of Bio-on S.p.A. - one of the most important industrial groups in Europe, expanding the development of the promising high-performance biopolymer business developed by Bio-on and the granting of its licenses".

The two companies, already active in sustainable bio-chemistry and in the industrial development of the Levulinic Acid production with Sadam, will work together to take a further step towards the construction of the platform for the production of the bioplastic of the future.

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