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Cysteine

L-Cysteine Singled Out

This year’s Federation of German Industries (BDI) environmental award goes to WACKER in recognition of the Group’s development of an innovative manufacturing process for the amino acid L-cysteine, based on renewable resources and produced without organic solvents.

Sustainable growth development is one of WACKER’s ten corporate goals. The Federation of German Industries (BDI) has now acknowledged WACKER’s long-standing achievements in this field with a high accolade: the BDI environmental award, which is presented every two years.

An independent panel of judges drawn from industry, science and environmental organizations selected five projects for the prestigious award from the following categories: “resource recycling management,” “environmentally friendly products” and “environmentally friendly technology.”

The image shows E.coli bacteria surrounded by rosettes of cysteine crystals.

Groundbreaking Process

One of these innovative technologies is the process developed by WACKER’s research scientists. It revolutionizes the manufacturing of a product, several thousand metric tons of which are used worldwide every year: the amino acid L-cysteine.

This is a fine chemical with a wide range of applications mainly in the pharmaceutical and food sectors. However, the current production process widely used throughout the world is extremely problematic, particularly for these industries sectors. The vast majority of L-cysteine is produced in China by dissolving hair, feathers or pig bristles in large quantities of concentrated hydrochloric acid.

This is not only harmful to the environment; it also runs the risk of spreading pathogens such as the bird-flu virus.

In 2002, WACKER broke new ground in L-cysteine production by developing a manufacturing method which relies on biotechnology.

While the conventional method uses 27 kilograms of hydrochloric acid to produce one kilogram of L-cysteine, WACKER manages with just one kilogram of acid. What’s more, absolutely no organic solvents are used, and the product is based on renewable resources.

“This award underlines once again the great importance that the WACKER Group has always placed on innovation, environmental protection and sustainability,” said a delighted Dr. Rudolf Staudigl, WACKER president and CEO, at the award ceremony.

In terms of profitability, too, the innovation has long since proven worthwhile for WACKER. The Group produces several hundred metric tons of L-cysteine a year in 50,000-liter fermenters and already covers around 15% of world demand.

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