BASF joins consortium using cow stomach microbes and CO2 to produce fumarate

In Germany,  chemicals giant BASF has joined FUMBIO, a joint research project that aims to leverage bacterium isolated from the rumen of a Holstein cow and CO₂ from chemical plant offgas to produce a key building block chemical.

First isolated in 2008, Basfia succiniciproducens will be genetically modified by researchers so that it produces large quantities of biobased fumaric acid, also known as fumarate, during fermentation. With this intermediate, BASF can make a wide range of products with a low carbon footprint, including additives for food and animal feed, starting materials for medication, or building blocks for polymers and detergents and formulators.

Other FUMBIO partners include Saarland University, University of Marburg and the University of Kaiserslautern-Landau. 

“Together with our cooperation partners, we are taking a closer look at the fermentation process. We want to optimize it in such a way that the bacteria use renewable raw materials, such as sugar, and carbon dioxide to produce as much fumarate as possible,” says Dr. Barbara Navé, head of the FUMBIO project and responsible for the evaluation and coordination of new white biotechnology projects at BASF. The research project also focuses on the subsequent refinement of fumarate by enzymes – also known as bio-catalysis – into biodegradable industrial products.