Bio4PURConti project aims to develop the world’s first continuous bio-based aniline production process, reducing carbon emissions and accelerating sustainable polyurethane manufacturing.
Covestro has launched Bio4PURConti (Bio-Based Continuous Production for Sustainable Polyurethane Industry), a pioneering European Union-funded research project that aims to develop the world’s first continuous production process for bio-based aniline—a critical raw material used in the manufacture of polyurethane products. The initiative is expected to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of polyurethane production while supporting the transition toward a circular and low-carbon chemical industry.
Coordinated by Covestro, the project brings together a consortium of ten partners from seven European countries, combining expertise in biotechnology, catalysis, process engineering, and industrial manufacturing. Pilot-scale production facilities will be established in Ghent, Belgium, and Leverkusen, Germany, where the new continuous production technology will be demonstrated.
The Bio4PURConti process uses specially developed microorganisms to convert plant-based industrial sugars into an intermediate through fermentation. This intermediate is then transformed into 100% plant-based aniline using catalytic conversion. By replacing fossil-derived feedstocks with renewable biomass, the technology has the potential to substantially lower greenhouse gas emissions associated with conventional aniline production.
Unlike traditional batch manufacturing, the project focuses on continuous bioprocessing, which is expected to improve production efficiency, reduce energy consumption, lower operating costs, and make large-scale commercial production of bio-based aniline more economically viable. The technology could become a key enabler for sustainable polyurethane manufacturing across multiple industries.
Aniline is a vital building block for methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), an essential raw material used in polyurethane foams, insulation materials, coatings, adhesives, elastomers, automotive components, construction products, furniture, and consumer goods. Developing a sustainable source of aniline could therefore have a significant impact across the global polyurethane value chain.
By leading the Bio4PURConti initiative, Covestro is reinforcing its commitment to advancing sustainable polymer technologies and supporting the chemical industry’s transition toward renewable feedstocks. If successfully commercialized, the project could establish a new benchmark for low-carbon polyurethane production while accelerating the adoption of bio-based materials across global manufacturing sectors.