In a move that could reshape the speciality polymer landscape for green energy applications, Syngene International has enabled Kraton, a subsidiary of DuPont, to develop and commercialise a novel, stable speciality polymer designed for renewable energy systems.

According to the company, the innovation marks a strategic diversification for Kraton, which is traditionally known for producing performance products and polymers derived from renewable resources. Faced with challenges around molecular stability in their energy polymer R&D efforts, Kraton turned to Syngene – its long-standing partner – for a solution.

Cracking the Code: From Lab Instability to Industry Benchmark
Syngene’s Performance and Specialty Materials (PSM) team launched the project with a detailed root cause analysis, identifying the instability in the molecule’s design—specifically in the functionalization agent. The teams co-engineered a reworked molecular structure to balance both stability and conductivity, essential for energy applications.

After initial synthesis attempts failed to deliver, Syngene said that its experts pivoted and successfully executed an alternative synthesis route in-house.

“We had to convert a complex, multi-step reaction involving an obnoxious chemical into a manageable single-pot synthesis—critical for scale-up,” said Alex Del Priore, Senior Vice President – Manufacturing, Syngene International.

The redesigned molecule surpassed performance expectations, demonstrating over 10,000 hours of consistent operation—setting a new industry benchmark for energy polymer durability.

Scaling the Green Frontier
With proof of performance secured, Kraton chose Syngene’s FDA-approved, commercial-scale facilities to begin production. However, scale-up posed another hurdle.

Syngene addressed this through process engineering and scale-down studies, accelerating the transition to commercial batches. This enabled the successful manufacturing of the polymer in multi-feet rolls—a first-of-its-kind product in the market and a key requirement for green energy systems.

The collaboration delivered several strategic wins for Kraton:

Launch of a stable polymer platform for green energy
Entry into a new energy-focused product category
Scalable manufacturing with supply chain readiness
First-mover advantage in the specialty polymer film segment

The project’s success led Kraton to establish an independent technology platform for this innovation, further expanding its footprint in the clean energy space. Plans are now underway for a multi-megawatt green energy plant based on the high-performance polymer, with Syngene as the preferred manufacturing partner.

Following the product launch, Kraton placed a large-volume order for ongoing supply. Discussions are ongoing to produce multi-ton annual quantities, signaling strong market uptake.

A Green Chemistry Win
As demand surges for sustainable energy materials, the Syngene-Kraton partnership exemplifies how deep R&D collaboration and process innovation can bring lab-scale breakthroughs into commercial reality—paving the way for greener industrial futures.