Succinic acid: A new platform chemical for biobased polymers from renewable resources

Succinic acid is predicted to be one of the future platform chemicals that can be derived from renewable resources. The improvements in biotechnological succinic acid production are presented. Chemical conversion pathways to Gamma-butyrolactone, tetrahydrofuran, 1,4-butanediole, and pyrrolidones are reviewed. An overview of possible new biopolymers (e. g. polyesters, polyamides, and poly(ester amide)s) based on succinic acid and its derivatives is given. Nevertheless, industrial processes using purified succinic acid from fermentation broths are not state of the art yet. Further improvements are needed until succinic acid-based chemical production will be economically favorable.