Genomatica Develops Bio-process for MEK that Runs on Idled Ethanol Plants

Genomatica (San Diego, CA), a biotech start up, says it has developed the first bio-process for manufacturing the solvent methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) from renewable raw materials. The process has been designed so that it will work in ethanol production plants, many of which have been idled in the U.S. due to market conditions, the company says.   MEK, is an industrial solvent used in applications such as paints and coatings with a market valued at more than $2 billion, Genomatica says. The company says it has demonstrated the process, which...

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