Kemvera Advances Sustainable Chemical Production: A New Era for Bio-Based Solutions
DENVER, Jan. 21, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Kemvera, a pioneering sustainable chemical innovation company formerly known as New Iridium, has announced significant advancements in the commercialization of its bio-based acetic acid and ethyl acetate manufacturing process. The company revealed the completion of its process design package (FEL 1) for a planned 50,000 metric tons per year commercial-scale plant, positioning itself at the forefront of the green chemicals industry.
Major Milestones in Commercialization Efforts
Kemvera has successfully designed a 500 metric tons per year pre-commercial demonstration reactor and has commissioned a 20 metric tons per year pilot reactor. This pilot reactor has been tested for continuous operations, validating the company’s robust approach to scaling production. These steps are crucial for advancing towards the commercial readiness of Kemvera's environmentally friendly products.
Vision Shift and Strategic Partnerships
The name change from New Iridium to Kemvera reflects the company’s commitment to scaling bio-based chemical solutions derived from domestic agricultural feedstock. The proprietary catalytic platform utilized by Kemvera converts renewable and CO₂-derived feedstocks, including corn ethanol sourced from U.S. farms, into affordable drop-in chemicals, enhancing domestic manufacturing and sustainability.
- Projected domestic green chemicals market: USD 7.46 billion by 2033
- Compound Annual Growth Rate: 7.8% from 2025
To meet increasing market demands, Kemvera forges vital partnerships with ethanol producers and agricultural stakeholders, creating a sustainable domestic value chain that stretches from Midwest cornfields to industrial users.
Industry Support and Economic Impact
Dr. Chern-Hooi Lim, Founder and CEO of Kemvera, commented, “Having reached these milestones, we are entering a new phase of development that brings us significantly closer to customer delivery. This advancement encapsulates our commitment to scalable, affordable chemical production using American-grown feedstocks.”
Joe Roberts, President of the Iowa Corn Promotion Board, added, “Innovations like this create new, high-value markets for corn and support rural economies. Advancing solutions that convert corn into essential industrial products reinforces the role of U.S. agriculture in meeting growing market demands.”
Product Vision and Environmental Commitment
Kemvera's flagship products, bio-acetic acid and bio-ethyl acetate, are envisioned for use in footwear, disinfectants, and a range of everyday consumer products. By utilizing domestically sourced bio-based inputs, Kemvera provides chemical manufacturers and brands with reliable alternatives to fossil-derived materials, thereby bolstering U.S. supply chain resilience.
In alignment with national priorities for domestic manufacturing and agricultural value-add, Kemvera is actively raising Series A funding and seeking strategic partnerships to further its mission of sustainable chemical production based on renewable resources.
About Kemvera
Kemvera is dedicated to delivering sustainable and affordable drop-in chemicals and materials that perform comparably to fossil-based products. The company's scalable bio-based solutions enhance U.S. supply chain resilience and empower chemical manufacturers, distributors, and consumer brands to decarbonize their supply chains, facilitating significant emissions reductions across the entire value chain.