BASF has said it will exit its current R&D collaboration with Novozymes and Cargill to develop a bio-based process for producing 3-hydroxypropionic (3-HP) and acrylic acid from renewable raw materials.

The German chemical giant did not give a reason for leaving the partnership, but may be planning to continue working on the bio-acrylic acid separately. When joining the research it said it hoped to fast-forward its entry into the market for bio-based superabsorbent polymers used to make baby diapers, adhesive raw materials and coatings.

In September 2014, the group said it was "working full force" to set up a small integrated pilot plant by the end of the year.

The two US companies, which began working together in 2008 before being joined by BASF in 2008, are now looking for a new commercialization partner.

"This is pioneering biochemical research, and the technology development and achievements so far have been extraordinary," said Kristian Bjørneboe, Vice President for Business Creation and Acquisition at Novozymes.

The R&D cooperation has achieved its technical and business targets, the companies said. After demonstrating the production of 3-HP at pilot scale in 2013, the partners said a year later they had successfully converted the product to glacial acrylic acid and superabsorbent polymers and had selected this process for further scale-up.

In the petrochemical route, acrylic acid is produced by oxidation of propylene derived from the refining of crude oil.