The Dawn of Bio-Based Chemistry: Verbio’s Global Milestone in Bitterfeld

In a landmark move for the European chemical industry, Verbio SE has officially inaugurated the world’s first industrial-scale ethenolysis plant based on rapeseed methyl ester (RME). Located in the historic Bitterfeld-Wolfen Chemical Park in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, this facility represents a significant leap forward in the transition from fossil-based to bio-based industrial chemistry. With an investment of approximately €100 million, the plant is designed to produce up to 60,000 metric tons of specialty chemicals annually, providing a renewable alternative to crude oil derivatives used in lubricants, detergents, and high-performance plastics.

The opening ceremony, held on October 8, 2026, was not merely a corporate milestone but a scientific celebration, graced by the presence of Nobel Laureate Richard Schrock, whose foundational research in catalysis made the facility possible. As Europe grapples with high energy costs and the urgent need to decarbonize its industrial sectors, Verbio’s new plant serves as a beacon of innovation, proving that the circular bio-economy is no longer a pilot-scale concept but a commercial reality.

I. Main Facts: A New Chapter for Renewable Carbon

The Bitterfeld facility focuses on a chemical process known as ethenolysis, a specific application of olefin metathesis. This process takes rapeseed oil—specifically rapeseed methyl ester, which has traditionally been used as biodiesel—and transforms it into high-value chemical building blocks.

Key Technical and Economic Data:

• Total Investment: Approximately €100 million.
• Capacity: 60,000 metric tons of bio-based chemicals per year.
• Primary Products: 1-Decene (17,000 tons/year) and 9-DAME (9-Decenoic acid methyl ester).
• Employment: 50 new high-tech jobs, bringing Verbio’s total headcount at the site to 130.
• Feedstock: Certified European rapeseed oil, processed into RME at Verbio’s existing integrated biorefinery.
• Strategic Goal: Replacing petroleum-based molecules in the global supply chain for lubricants, surfactants, polymers, and pharmaceuticals.

Verbio CEO Claus Sauter emphasized that this plant represents the next stage of the company’s "Biorefinery 2.0" strategy. By adding another layer of value creation to their existing biodiesel and biomethane production, Verbio is maximizing the "renewable carbon" potential of every seed of rapeseed processed.

II. Chronology: From Nobel Research to Industrial Reality

The journey to the Bitterfeld ethenolysis plant spans over five decades of scientific discovery and strategic corporate maneuvering.

• 1971–1974: Yves Chauvin explains the mechanism of the metathesis reaction. Richard Schrock makes a breakthrough by synthesizing molybdenum and tungsten complexes that could act as catalysts for these reactions.
• 1990–1992: Schrock develops the first efficient, well-defined metal catalysts for metathesis. Shortly after, Robert Grubbs develops catalysts that are stable in air and moisture, expanding the practical applications of the technology.
• 2005: Richard Schrock, Robert Grubbs, and Yves Chauvin are awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the development of the metathesis method in organic synthesis.
• 2011: Richard Schrock co-founds XiMo, a company dedicated to commercializing his proprietary catalysts.
• 2012: Verbio demonstrates its innovative spirit by opening the world’s first industrial-scale straw-to-biomethane plant in Zörbig, showcasing its ability to scale complex bio-chemical processes.
• 2018: Verbio acquires XiMo AG and its Hungarian subsidiary XiMo Hungary Kft. This acquisition gives Verbio exclusive access to the Schrock catalysts and the technical expertise required to scale ethenolysis.
• 2022–2024: Construction begins on the Bitterfeld plant. Despite global supply chain challenges, the project moves forward, supported by regional economic development funds (the "Improvement of Regional Economic Structure" program).
• October 2026: Official commissioning of the plant in the presence of Nobel Laureate Richard Schrock and federal political representatives.

III. Supporting Data: The Science of the "Molecular Dance"

At the heart of the Bitterfeld plant is the Olefin Metathesis process. The Nobel Committee famously described this reaction as a "dance in which couples change partners." In technical terms, it involves the redistribution of fragments of alkenes (olefins) by the scission and regeneration of carbon-carbon double bonds.

The Feedstock: Rapeseed Methyl Ester (RME)

The primary molecule in RME is methyl oleate, a chain of 18 carbon atoms with a single double bond in the center (at the C9 position). In traditional biofuel production, this molecule is burned. In Verbio’s new plant, it is treated as a precious structural resource.

The Process: Ethenolysis

In the presence of ethylene gas and the Schrock catalyst, the 18-carbon methyl oleate molecule is "cut" at its central double bond. The ethylene molecules then "stitch" onto the ends of the resulting fragments. This results in two distinct 10-carbon molecules:

1. 1-Decene: A linear alpha-olefin (LAO).
2. 9-DAME (Methyl-9-decenoate): A specialized ester with a terminal double bond.

Market Significance

• 1-Decene: This is a critical raw material for Polyalphaolefins (PAOs), which are high-performance synthetic lubricants used in everything from car engines and gearboxes to wind turbine bearings. The global market for 1-decene in lubricants is estimated at 600,000 to 700,000 tons annually. Verbio’s 17,000-ton capacity represents a significant bio-based foothold in this fossil-dominated market.
• 9-DAME: This molecule is a versatile intermediate. Because it contains both an ester group and a reactive double bond at the end of the chain, it can be used to create specialized polymers (like high-end polyamides), surfactants for "green" detergents, and ingredients for the fragrance and cosmetic industries.

The use of molybdenum and tungsten-based catalysts is a key competitive advantage. As Andreas Kohl, Verbio’s Head of Specialty Chemicals & Catalysts, noted, these are the only cost-effective catalysts capable of driving ethenolysis at this scale without relying on expensive precious metals like ruthenium.

IV. Official Responses: A Vision for a Fossil-Free Future

The inauguration was marked by high-profile endorsements that underscored the project’s importance for German industrial policy.

Richard Schrock, Nobel Laureate:
"I am a very happy man," Schrock stated during the opening. "The Nobel Prize is awarded for things created for the benefit of humanity, and that is exactly what we see in this plant today." He expressed deep personal emotion at seeing his decades of laboratory research finally manifested in a massive industrial distillation column, noting that it was a "moving moment" to see olefin metathesis applied at such a scale.

Claus Sauter, CEO of Verbio SE:
Sauter positioned the plant as a challenge to the traditional chemical industry. "It is now up to the chemical industry to utilize this new option," he said. He emphasized that Verbio has provided the solution; now, manufacturers must integrate these bio-based building blocks into their consumer products. Sauter also highlighted the geopolitical necessity of the plant, noting that Europe cannot compete on the price of fossil fuels but can lead in the "renewable carbon" economy.

Dorothee Bär, Federal Representative:
In a digital address, Bär lauded Verbio for providing a "solution to the dependence on crude oil." She noted that the Bitterfeld-Wolfen region, which has a 130-year history of chemical production, is the perfect site for ushering in this new era of "Green Chemistry."

Michael Carus, nova-Institute:
Representing the scientific and consultancy perspective, Carus argued that the future of the European industry lies in "renewable carbon"—carbon derived from biomass, CO2, or recycling. He noted that projects like Verbio’s are essential to prove that bio-based solutions can scale beyond the pilot phase to meet industrial demand.

V. Implications: Economic Sovereignty and Environmental Impact

The opening of the Bitterfeld plant has far-reaching implications for the region, the industry, and the environment.

1. Regional Revitalization

Saxony-Anhalt’s "Chemical Triangle" was once synonymous with the environmental degradation of the GDR era. Today, it is transforming into a hub for sustainable technology. Verbio, as one of the state’s highest-turnover companies, is a cornerstone of this transformation. The 50 new jobs created are highly specialized, contributing to the "brain gain" in Eastern Germany.

2. Decoupling from Geopolitical Volatility

By using European rapeseed, Verbio reduces the chemical industry’s reliance on imported crude oil and palm oil. This creates a more resilient supply chain that is less susceptible to the price shocks and ethical concerns associated with fossil fuel extraction and tropical deforestation.

3. The "Green Premium" and Market Adoption

The primary challenge moving forward is market qualification. While 1-Decene and 9-DAME are chemically identical to (or superior to) their fossil counterparts, industrial customers must re-qualify their formulations to use these bio-based versions. Verbio plans to ramp up production gradually as customers in the automotive, cosmetic, and cleaning agent sectors complete these certifications.

4. Setting a Global Standard

As the first of its kind, the Bitterfeld plant will be watched closely by global competitors. If Verbio successfully demonstrates that Schrock’s catalysts can operate reliably and economically at this scale, it could trigger a wave of investment in ethenolysis technology worldwide. This would fundamentally change how we view vegetable oils—not just as a source of food or fuel, but as a sophisticated feedstock for the entire materials science industry.

Conclusion

Verbio’s investment in Bitterfeld is a bold bet on the future of chemistry. By bridging the gap between Nobel-caliber science and industrial-scale engineering, the company has created a template for the post-fossil era. As Claus Sauter aptly noted, the technology is ready, the plant is running, and the bio-based molecules are flowing. The "molecular dance" has begun, and it may well lead the way to a more sustainable industrial world.