JVC launched between Jiangsu Sevencontinent, Abiochem Biotechnology, to industrialize biosynthetic glufosinate

China's Abiochem Biotechnology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd and Jiangsu Sevencontinent Green Chemical Co., Ltd recently set up a joint venture - Shanghai Sevencontinent Ziyue Biotechnology Co., Ltd. 

The cooperation is expected to give full play to the respective advantages of Abiochem Biotechnology and Sevencontinent, through the alliance between these strong companies to target the industrialization of biosynthesis of glufosinate.

At present, the majority of glufosinate available in the market is racemic (DL-type), which is a mixture of L-glufosinate 50% and D-glufosinate 50%. However, only L-glufosinate is functioning with herbicidal activity, whilst D-glufosinate is inactive and can even become a source of pollution. Production is mainly achieved via three chemical methods. These are BASF’s Pyrolysis-ACA Process, Sevencontinent’s Al-Strecker Process, and Yonon/Lier Chemical’s G-Strecker Process.

To provide greener, safer and more competitive products for global agriculture, Sevencontinent Ziyue Biotechnology Co., Ltd, which is a joint venture between Sevencontinent and Abiochem Biotechnology, is expected to utilize the respective advantages of both companies, that of Abiochem Biotechnology’s strength of synthetic biology and Sevencontinent’s high-end manufacturing capacity and strong marketing capability, to construct new technology, a new process and a new barricade for production of L-glufosinate. 

Jiangsu Sevencontinent is one of the world’s leading glufosinate manufacturers. Focusing on the development of glufosinate for many years, the company possesses the core technology of its production and has already made its industrial chain deployment covering raw materials, intermediates, technicals and formulations. In addition, the company’s global sales network enables the export of its products to countries and regions across Europe, America, Africa, Australia, West Asia and Southeast Asia.