Invista has entered into a development agreement with biotechnology firm LanzaTech for bio-based butadiene, a chemical used in the production of various plastics.

The companies will jointly work on projects to develop one-step and two-step technologies to convert industrial waste gas carbon monoxide (CO) into butadiene, beginning with a two-step process from LanzaTech CO-derived 2,3-butanediol (2,3 BDO).

By 2016, initial commercialization is expected.

Invista nylon intermediates business executive VP Bill Greenfield, commenting on the collaboration, said: "As we seek innovative solutions to increase the global supply of butadiene, we believe developing a cost competitive biological route to butadiene will help assure ample supply and reduce price volatility."