Distributor Helm invests in plant-based acrylonitrile manufacturer Trillium

Knoxville, Tennessee – German chemicals distributor Helm AG and Korean textile and industrial yarn manufacturer Hyosung Advanced Materials Corp. have taken part in a $10.6 million (€10 million) Series A financing round by sustainable chemicals company Trillium Renewable Chemicals.

The funding, which builds on an award of $2.5 million from the US department of energy, will go towards the commercialisation of Trillium’s plant-based chemicals production technology.

The company said it will construct and operate a market demonstration unit for its Bio-ACN process, which “sustainably converts” plant-based feedstocks into chemicals such as acrylonitrile and acetonitrile.

Acrylonitrile is currently manufactured from oil and gas derivatives and is used in the manufacture of a diverse range of consumer and industrial goods including synthetic rubber and textiles.

“Helm is highly committed to grow its chemical business via sustainable solution,” said Andreas Woschek, executive VP Helm AG.

“The combined skillsets of the partners supporting Trillium now provides an exciting opportunity to commercialise the innovation of bio-based, low carbon acrylonitrile to the market,” he added.