Verbio Commissioning World's First Industrial-Scale Ethenolysis Plant

MAGDEBURG, Germany, Nov. 05, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- Verbio, a bioeconomy company based in the south of Saxony-Anhalt, has achieved a significant milestone by commissioning the world's first industrial-scale ethenolysis plant. This plant, located at the Bitterfeld-Wolfen Chemical Park, uses Nobel Prize-winning technology to convert unsaturated hydrocarbons from rapeseed oil into high-value renewable carbon compounds.

The company's journey in Saxony-Anhalt began 25 years ago with the opening of its first biodiesel production facility in Bitterfeld-Wolfen. Since then, Verbio has expanded its operations, producing biodiesel, bioethanol, and biomethane as alternatives to fossil fuels. In 2004, the company added bioethanol production in Zörbig, and in 2014, it launched its first plant producing biomethane exclusively from straw. Today, Verbio also supplies renewable fuels such as bio-LNG made from agricultural residues, with its network of company-owned and partner-operated bio-CNG and bio-LNG filling stations comprising 48 locations across Germany.

Verbio's latest venture, the ethenolysis plant, is a testament to its commitment to innovation and sustainability. In October 2026, the company commissioned this plant, which converts unsaturated hydrocarbons from rapeseed methyl ester using ethene and specialized catalysts. This technology, based on research honoured with the 2005 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, allows Verbio to produce bio-based specialty chemicals with an expected annual production capacity of 60,000 tonnes.

These specialty chemicals can be used to manufacture high-performance lubricants, detergents, cleaning products, and bio-based plastics, catering to markets in Germany, Europe, and internationally. Verbio has invested almost €100 million in the project, which received funding through the Joint Federal Government/Länder Scheme for the Improvement of Regional Economic Structures (GRW). The investment has created around 50 new jobs, bringing the site's future workforce to approximately 130 employees.

With this new facility, Verbio continues to lead the way in the bioeconomy, providing renewable alternatives to fossil fuels and chemicals. The company's expansion into specialty chemicals underscores its dedication to sustainable innovation and its role as a pioneer in the industry.