Niagara Falls, New York Patent of the Year – 2024/2025
Niacet Corporation has been awarded the 2024/2025 Patent of the Year for their innovative approach to chemical manufacturing. Their invention, detailed in U.S. Patent No. 12071401, titled ‘Direct conversion of esters to carboxylates’, introduces a streamlined process for producing high-purity calcium carboxylates from simple esters.
This novel method involves reacting water and calcium oxide to form a slurry, which is then combined with an ester such as methyl propionate. The reaction is heated to remove methanol, a byproduct, and the solution is neutralized to achieve a pH between 7.0 and 9.5. The resulting calcium carboxylate is then filtered and recovered in solid form, boasting a purity of 95% or higher.
Niacet’s process offers significant advantages over traditional methods, which often require multiple steps and complex catalysts. By simplifying the production of compounds like calcium propionate, commonly used as a preservative in baked goods, this innovation enhances efficiency and reduces costs in the food and feed industries.
With this patent, Niacet Corporation continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing chemical manufacturing processes, providing the industry with more sustainable and cost-effective solutions.