Itaconix's Technology Platform

Itaconix has created a broad technology platform around the versatility and safety of itaconic acid as a building block for ingredients that can replace acrylic acid or styrene polymers.

Our formulas and ingredients can seamlessly integrate into the consumer goods marketplace. We are able to address environmental concerns so that consumers don't have to choose between performance, cost and sustainability.

Solutions for Everyday Products

What is itaconic acid?

The material at the core of our platform, itaconic acid, is a natural metabolite found in the human and plant world. Itaconic acid has been recognized for decades as a valuable plant-based material due to its multifunctionality and safety profile. It is produced for commercial purposes by fermentation using plant-based feedstock and is widely available on the open market.

We purchase and process itaconic acid into key ingredients used in a wide range of consumer products. The long-term potential for our business is based on our proprietary technology platform for turning itaconic acid into functional polymers that have high performance, safety, and sustainability value in consumer products. Our capabilities are protected by 16 patent families.

Decarbonizing Everyday Products

Why itaconic acid?

Itaconix plays a pivotal role in reducing the carbon footprint of everyday products. Our approach involves developing plant-based ingredients that seamlessly replace conventional, fossil-based compounds in various consumer goods. Our strategy enables companies to produce environmentally friendly products without sacrificing performance. Our commitment to plant-based ingredients aligns with our customers' search for safer, more renewable alternatives.

Advantages of Itaconic Acid

In addition to being a safe natural metabolite, itaconic acid is a valuable, versatile building block used in a range of chemistries. The unique functionality of itaconic acid polymers, long sought by chemists, has been harnessed by Itaconix. This allows us to pursue the replacement of fossil-fuel-based acrylates and styrene in consumer products. Because of these properties, our ingredients continue to receive traction in the market.

Our ingredients excel in safety, performance, and cost-effectiveness. Additionally, our polymers are derived through a carbon-sequestering fermentation process and contribute to the low carbon economy. Our technology shows that there is no need to sacrifice performance for sustainability, and no need to spend more to achieve these goals.

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Future Potential

The market potential for our technology platform is broadly defined by the $20b in current uses for acrylic acid and styrene polymers in consumer care, hygiene, water solutions, agriculture, composites, and coatings. With 17 innovative ingredients protected by 16 patent families, we offer formulators cutting-edge solutions for a new generation of consumer products. Continuous developments ensure we stay ahead, driving significant market potential.

Major applications

Cleaning
The leading cleaning polymer in our platform can reduce total ingredient costs, enable more compact dosages and manage water hardness, reducing mineral deposits. This polymer increases plant-based content to improve the sustainability of the end product.

Beauty
Itaconix beauty polymers are gaining use in hair care products as alternatives to fossil-based fixatives based on excellent curl retention, novel soft feel for “weightless” hairstyling, and high plant-based content.

Hygiene
Itaconix polymers for odor neutralization have comparable odor control performance to zinc ricinoleate, while offering the advantages of not leaving residues, ease of formulating into products, and plant-based content.