US, Japanese Firms Partner to Provide Carbon-Negative PP Compounds

Japan’s Sumitomo Chemical and California-based Newlight Technologies have begun joint development of polypropylene (PP) compounds for use in automobiles and textile applications using a carbon-negative biomaterial produced by microorganisms from methane called AirCarbon, which is based on polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB). In this joint project, Newlight Technologies will develop new grades of AirCarbon suitable for use in automotive and textile applications, sourcing methane emissions captured and recovered from coal mining, agricultural, and industrial operations as the starting point for its production process.