Du Pont to focus on 4 megatrends

MANILA, Philippines - Global science company Du Pont is focusing its future business developments and growth on four megatrends involving increasing food production, decreasing dependence on fossil fuels, protecting lives, and growing in emerging markets.

In a recent Du Pont-sponsored ASEAN media forum held last week in Jakarta, Indonesia, Du Pont East Asia president Carl J. Lukach said that those four megatrends present opportunities for Du Pont to tailor different products for its customers.

In the area of increasing food production, specifically for the ASEAN region, Lukach revealed that Du Pont  is in the process of developing an economical hybrid rice variety even as it continues to ramp up its hybrid corn production in the region, and constantly come up with new food and nutrition products, and food packaging materials.

In the area of decreasing dependence on fossil fuel, Lukach is excited about Du Pont’s breakthrough development of a “proprietary microbacterial bug” that efficiently breaks down sugar in a variety of crop plants that contain high levels of sugar.

Du Pont, Lukach disclosed, is working with India-based firm Denisco on the “cellulosic stage” of development of the alternative biobutanol, while it is cooperating with BP (British Petroleum) on screening and compatibility testing, as well as engine and infrastructure testing on the biobutanol.

BP will also partner with Du Pont on eventually marketing the biobutanol.

According to Lukach,  the  alternative biobutanol  has a higher energy density, lower refining and distribution costs, and higher blend ratios with existing engine designs.

Du Pont, Lukach disclosed, is making “excellent progress” in the process development of biobutanol, particularly in bringing down the cost of production.

Five years ago, Lukach said, cost of production was around $15 per gallon.

At present, the cost of production has been brought down to around $2/gal, Lukach said.

The target commercial cost, however, is around $1/gal.

Likewise, Lukach said that the commercial use of biotunol would become attractive if the cost of crude oil remains above $50 per barrel.

A scale up and demonstration facility in the United Kingdom is scheduled to start up next year, but with expected sales and earnings for Du Pont to be realized only by 2013.

Du Pont, Lukach said, expects extensive patent estate for its new biofuel development.

In the area of protecting lives, Du Pont continues to invest heavily in research and development to develop  products that will protect lives.

Among its successful product developments are the Kevlar and Nomex fabrics and fibers.

Kevlar is used protecting lives of law enforcers and soldiers, while Nomex is used by firemen.