Covation Biomaterials LLC (CovationBio®), a player in advanced bio-based materials, announced the mechanical completion of its first commercial-scale C4 platform plant. The facility will produce bio-based tetrahydrofuran (bioTHF) and polytetramethylene ether glycol (bioPTMEG), marking a significant milestone in sustainable material manufacturing. At the same time, the company has officially unveiled its new Xatryx® brand, which represents a portfolio of next-generation, non-food-based bioPTMEG products to be manufactured at the plant.
Major Step Toward Defossilization of Materials
The development highlights CovationBio’s commitment to reducing dependence on fossil-based feedstocks. By advancing renewable alternatives, the company is actively contributing to the global transition toward low-carbon and sustainable industrial solutions. Moreover, the launch reinforces its focus on delivering high-performance biomaterials without compromising environmental responsibility.
Strategic Location and Advanced Technology
The C4 facility is located in Qidong. It leverages a proprietary, first-of-its-kind process technology developed by CovationBio, designed to efficiently convert renewable feedstocks into high-value chemical products. With a total planned investment of RMB 10 billion, the project will be developed in three phases. Once fully operational, the plant is expected to reach a total production capacity of 500,000 tons per year of bio-based materials.
Phase One Capacity and Production Timeline
The first phase of the project has now reached mechanical completion and is designed to deliver a production capacity of 50,000 tons per year for both bioTHF and bioPTMEG. Looking ahead, CovationBio plans to commence commercial production in the second half of 2026, further strengthening its position in the global biomaterials market.
Xatryx®: Driving Innovation in Bio-Based Materials
According to Feifeng You, President of CovationBio, the Xatryx® brand reflects the company’s spirit of continuous innovation. He emphasized that Xatryx® products are designed to deliver high performance while supporting the defossilization of the materials industry. Notably, these products are derived from abundant, non-food agricultural by-products, which are directly converted into chemical feedstocks using advanced thermochemical technology.
Sustainable Alternative Without Competing with Food Resources
Importantly, Xatryx® bioPTMEG represents a second-generation bio-based material. It serves as a drop-in replacement for conventional fossil-based PTMEG, allowing manufacturers to transition seamlessly without modifying existing processes. In addition, because the feedstock is derived from non-food agricultural residues, the technology avoids competition with food resources—an increasingly critical consideration in sustainable manufacturing.
Applications Across High-Performance Industries
Xatryx® bioPTMEG maintains the same high-performance characteristics required for demanding applications. It can be widely used in spandex fibers, polyurethanes and thermoplastic elastomers. As a result, manufacturers can reduce their carbon footprint while continuing to meet performance standards across diverse industrial and consumer applications.
Strengthening the Future of Bio-Based Manufacturing
As per the press release, the completion of CovationBio’s first commercial plant and the launch of the Xatryx® brand mark a pivotal advancement in bio-based chemical production. By combining innovative technology with sustainable feedstocks, the company is setting a new benchmark for the future of renewable materials.
