Citroniq

Citroniq Chemicals, LLC, a Houston-based company founded in 2020, is positioned at the intersection of agriculture and advanced manufacturing, aiming to decarbonize the plastics industry. The company was co-founded by CEO Kelly Knopp, a 40-year veteran of the refining, petrochemicals, and plastics industries with leadership experience at major firms like NOVA Chemicals and Koch Industries, and President Mel Badheka, a serial entrepreneur with 30 years of experience in the global energy sector. Knopp's extensive background in chemical engineering and business, combined with Badheka's expertise in international energy markets and technology, underpins the company's strategy to bridge traditional industry with sustainable solutions.

Citroniq's core business involves transforming U.S.-produced corn ethanol into carbon-negative bio-polypropylene, a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based plastics. The business model centers on developing, building, and operating world-scale biomanufacturing facilities. These plants are designed to be integrated into the U.S. Midwest's existing agricultural infrastructure, providing a stable, value-added market for local corn and ethanol producers beyond the seasonal fuel industry. Revenue will be generated from the sale of its bio-polypropylene pellets, branded OrganiqPP™, and potentially through the sale of high-value carbon removal credits.

The company's primary product, OrganiqPP™, is a 'drop-in' bio-polypropylene that is physically identical to its fossil-fuel-based counterpart, allowing for seamless adoption by customers. This product serves industries demanding sustainable materials, including automotive, consumer goods, packaging, and medical supplies. The production relies on a proprietary E2O (Ethanol to Olefins) process, which utilizes technology from partner Lummus Technology to convert ethanol into ethylene and subsequently into polypropylene. This process, powered by renewable energy sources like wind and solar, permanently sequesters atmospheric carbon dioxide absorbed by the corn into a solid, durable plastic pellet, resulting in a carbon-negative manufacturing footprint. Citroniq is building its first plant in Falls City, Nebraska, a multi-billion dollar project expected to be the largest investment in the state's history and operational by 2029. This facility alone is projected to produce 400,000 tonnes of bio-polypropylene annually and capture or avoid approximately 2 million tonnes of greenhouse gases each year.

Keywords: bio-polypropylene, carbon-negative materials, ethanol-to-olefins, sustainable plastics, biochemical manufacturing, decarbonization, circular economy, renewable feedstocks, agricultural technology, industrial biotechnology