Beckers Group is collaborating with Canadian start-up Anodyne Chemistries to develop a renewable version of hexahydrophthalic anhydride (HHPA), an essential feedstock in high-performance coating formulations currently derived entirely from petrochemicals. The project aims to reduce the carbon footprint of HHPA and advance more sustainable raw materials for coatings.

Anodyne is developing a novel enzymatic process that uses captured CO₂ and renewable electricity to produce HHPA. Research will be conducted in Vancouver, while Beckers’ FutureLab innovation center in Liverpool will perform blending compatibility testing for potential application in coil coatings.

“HHPA is a critical chemical for the coatings industry that currently has no sustainable production route,” said Gavin Bown, CTO at Beckers. “Our work with Anodyne is part of our broader sustainable innovation strategy to accelerate commercialization of low-carbon materials in the raw materials value chain.”

Anodyne CTO Manou Davies noted that the company's bio-electric platform uses engineered enzymes powered by renewable energy to convert CO₂ into useful chemical building blocks.

Beckers Group operates in 18 countries and supplies coil coatings and industrial paints to customers in about 60 markets. The company has maintained an EcoVadis Gold rating since 2017.