Еuropean BASF Distributor Organization and NXTLEVVEL Biochem signed a distribution agreement for bio-based and biodegradable solvents in Europe

The European distribution organization of BASF / BTC Europe GmbH and the leading producer of biomass-based chemicals NXTLEVVEL Biochem are joining forces to expand the supply of levulinic-acid-based solvents throughout Europe.

At the end of May, BTC Europe GmbH and NXTLEVVEL Biochem signed a distribution agreement for bio-based and biodegradable levulinic-acid-based solvents for the European market, the BASF press service reports. Levulinic acid can serve as a universal building block for chemicals and materials obtained directly from biomass. Due to its broad solvency power, low volatility, high safety and biodegradability, levulinic-acid-based solvents offer a sustainable alternative to fossil-based solvents for a wide range of applications. In agriculture, levulinic acid and its salts can be used for the production of pesticides (such as plant hormones, etc.), paints and surfactants.

An increasing number of companies, including the Japanese automobile manufacturer Toyota, use plastics made from green chemicals in order to reduce their exposure to raw material price volatility and to limit their impact on the environment.

Both companies that signed the agreement strive to use their expertise and industrial know-how to meet the strong demand for more sustainable, low-emission products on the European market and to enable customers to make more environmentally friendly choices in their supply and development processes. Thanks to this cooperation, customers will have access to resource-efficient solutions obtained from biomass from non-food crops, which will allow them to reduce their carbon footprint and secure long-term sustainable competitive advantages.

„Enriching our portfolio with complementary, sustainable and resource-efficient solutions is a key pillar of our strategy. The cooperation with NXTLEVVEL Biochem will create new opportunities for future growth and will strengthen our position in the European distribution business“, shares José Corral Montilla, Managing Director of BTC Europe GmbH. „By building on our expanded portfolio, we will offer our customers solutions based on circular feedstocks that help meet rapidly changing market requirements and that create added value for our customers’ customers“, adds José Corral Montilla.

„Together we can seize new market opportunities for levulinic-acid-based solvents by combining the strength of our products with the strong position of BTC Europe in the European chemical distribution market“, says Aris de Rijke, Chief Executive Officer of NXTLEVVEL Biochem. „With the patented technology of GFBiochemicals we produce levulinic-acid derivatives on an industrial scale and serve markets with a high demand for bio-based chemicals, such as industrial and institutional cleaning, home and personal care, as well as paints and coatings and in the field of agriculture", he further adds.

About BTC Europe GmbH

BTC Europe GmbH is part of the BASF Group and is BASF’s European distribution organization for specialty chemicals. The company’s strengths lie in its industry expertise, based on many years of experience and proximity to customers. With a very strong local presence in Europe, BTC Europe GmbH supplies small and medium-sized customers from a wide range of industries with around 6,000 products. BTC Europe GmbH is headquartered in Monheim am Rhein, Germany.

About NXTLEVVEL Biochem

Headquartered in the Netherlands, NXTLEVVEL is a consortium that combines the industrial expertise of the Towell Engineering Group with advanced patented technology developed by GFBiochemicals.

The company is a manufacturer of next-generation biomass-based chemicals built on levulinic-acid-based biosolvents. Affordable bio-based chemicals are essential for reducing dependence on fossil fuels and will play a crucial role in lowering carbon emissions. NXTLEVVEL provides high-performance solutions for sustainable chemistry.