New Iridium Achieves 200 Hours of Continuous Reactor Operation

New Iridium is proud to announce a major milestone in its process development: the successful continuous operation of its oxidation flow reactor for over 200 hours. This reactor is a cornerstone of the company’s proprietary technology platform that converts bio-ethanol into bio-based acetic acid and ethyl acetate— sustainable, drop-in alternatives to their fossil-derived counterparts. The achievement marks a significant evolution from earlier batch-mode bubble column reactors to a fully automated continuous flow system, made possible by advanced process control software. Throughout the extended run, the reactor consistently delivered high conversion efficiency and product selectivity, producing bio-acetic acid and bio-ethyl acetate at concentrations exceeding 9 molar—a key indicator of robust performance and productivity. This milestone validates the scalability, stability, and safety of New Iridium’s platform. The modular flow reactor design will enable a phased scale-up: from a 50 t/y pilot plant, to a 2,000 t/y demonstration facility, and ultimately to a 50,000 t/y commercial-scale plant. With its broad operational envelope for temperature and pressure, and inherently safer design, the reactor is well-suited for industrial deployment. This breakthrough advances New Iridium’s mission to enable low-carbon, cost-effective chemical manufacturing at commercial scale.