3-Hydroxypropionic Acid (3-HP)

Nitrile Rubber Rings from 3-HP

3-HP is the best known intermediate chemical produced by lignocellulosic fermentation behind lactic acid and succinic acid. Produced by Cargill, research has shown that the intermediate chemical can be produced at a theoretical yield of 100 percent from glucose (Zvosec 2003). With the addition of chemical processing, 3-HP can be transformed into many various marketable chemicals such as PDO, acrylic acid, acrylonitrile, and acrylamide. There is no commecially viable production route of 3-HP from fossil fuel feedstocks (EI 2003). Cargill is currently collaborating with the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the US Department of Energy on a $12 US million research project to investigate improved commercialization of the product.

When transformed into acrylic acid, the polymer can be used as a coating, adhesives, superabsorbent, or detergent. The 2002, market demand was 907,029 tonnes and sold for $0.48 US per pound (EI 2003). Acrylonitrile is a polymer found in the acrylic fibers of carpets and clothing, pipes, furniture, automobiles, and nitrile rubber. It sold for $0.35 US per pound in 2002 and 1.4 million tonnes are produced yearly (EI 2003). Acrylamide is a resin used in latex. In 2002, the market for acrylamide was 93,424 tonnes drew US$1.80 per pound (EI 2003).