Study finds bio-based PDO cuts carbon footprint by 86% compared with fossil-based alternative
A new lifecycle assessment has found that bio-based 1,3-propanediol (bio-PDO) produced from fermented corn dextrose can reduce its carbon footprint by up to 86% compared with conventionally produced fossil-based PDO, highlighting the growing potential of renewable carbon materials in industrial and consumer applications.
The findings were published in a new study by the Germany-based nova-Institute, which examined the environmental performance of renewable carbon-based materials. The assessment of bio-PDO was carried out by sustainability consultancy TrueNorth Collective using primary data from Primient’s production process and compared against crude oil-derived propanediol.
According to the study, Primient’s bio-based PDO, marketed under the Zemea® and Susterra® brands, delivers a reduction of 4.41kg CO₂ equivalent per kilogram compared with its fossil-based counterpart. The material is used in a broad range of applications, including cosmetics, personal care products and industrial cooling fluids.
TrueNorth Collective conducted a comprehensive lifecycle assessment covering 22 environmental impact categories, including greenhouse gas emissions, land use and carbon dioxide uptake during plant growth. The consultancy said the study incorporated high-quality primary data collected across the full value chain and was independently reviewed to ensure the credibility of the results.
Mandy Montazeri, LCA Services Director at TrueNorth Collective, said the assessment combined detailed lifecycle data with scenario analysis before being evaluated by an independent review panel, providing robust evidence of the environmental benefits of bio-based PDO over conventional petroleum-derived alternatives.
Primient said the findings reinforce the role of bio-based materials in helping manufacturers reduce dependence on fossil-based feedstocks while supporting lower-carbon product development.
Sukh Rabeendran, Vice President of Biosolutions and PDO Plant Manager at Primient, said the company remains committed to manufacturing bio-based PDO as a sustainable alternative that enables customers to meet their sustainability objectives while offering consumers products with a reduced climate impact.
The nova-Institute study forms part of wider research into renewable carbon materials as industries seek lower-emission alternatives to petrochemical products. Bio-based chemicals are increasingly being explored across multiple sectors as manufacturers look to reduce lifecycle emissions while maintaining product performance.
The latest findings add to growing evidence that renewable feedstocks can play a significant role in lowering the carbon footprint of chemicals used in everyday consumer and industrial products, supporting broader decarbonisation efforts across global supply chains.
