More than 15.000 tons per year of succinic acid are produced as base for polyester resin, pigments and pharmaceuticals on a petrochemical basis. The project partners will make new yeast strains available that can produce succinic acid based on renewable raw materials and bind carbon dioxide. A corresponding efficient bioprocess is developed in parallel bioreactors under technical conditions on small scale.

CO₂ saving through biotechnological processes
A significant environmental relief and the conservation of resources may be expected from the, to the greatest extent, carbon dioxide neutral biological process that uses renewable raw materials instead of petrochemical synthesis. More conservation effects are achieved by the use of highly active and selective as well as biodegradable catalysts, the renunciation of organic solvents and the use of mild reaction conditions with low energy requirements.