‘Balance’ and ‘Harmony’ and ‘SAF’: Key Words at the 2023 AFCC Global Biobased Economy Conference

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November 26, 2023

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by Joanne Ivancic* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Conferences serve to present the current thoughts, activities and plans for the community involved in the focus of the event. At the 2023 Alternative Fuels and Chemicals Coalition Global Biobased Economy Conference and Exhibit held this month just outside of Washington, DC, the overall topics were Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing. The specifics were where the action was.

Every conference has its own character. Each year the zeitgeist differs, reflecting the community of attendees and presenters as well as the larger communities they represent. Buzzwords, challenges and demographics provide some indications. Here are impressions from the AFCC 2023 conference.

Buzzwords for 2023

SAF. Sustainable Aviation Fuel. It seemed required for each participant to say “SAF” at least 10 times during the event whether in a presentation, break, or networking event. After the White House announced its Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Grand Challenge in September 2021, a “whole-of-government” approach to “produce 3 billion gallons per year of domestic SAF production that achieve a minimum of a 50% reduction in life cycle greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional fuel by 2030”, it became OK for the Departments of Energy, Transportation, Agriculture, Defense, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the General Services Administration, and the Environmental Protection Agency to talk about biofuels and renewable fuels, not just about electric vehicles (EVs). As long as the renewable fuel they talk about is SAF.

Thus, developers of any conversion technologies, feedstock developments, business deals or investment plans that might have focused on production of renewable fuels for other purposes, refocused to emphasize their applications to achieve the SAF Grand Challenge goals, and the clean fuel and chemical needs of the rest of the world that related to SAF. Thus, SAF was on everyone’s lips.

Harmony. Related to another buzzword, “whole-of-government.” Speakers tried over and over to help attendees understand that a crucial element for achieving the SAF Grand Challenge goals, any other government policy goals or private investment projections is ‘harmony’ among the various government agencies, financing institutions, researchers, developers, and consumers. It merits repeating because it is so hard to achieve a unified vision, shared concepts of how to achieve the vision without hindering innovation, and an economic system that can support the hard day-to-day work, workers and investment community needed to make sure the vision and innovation don’t collapse into delusion.

Balance. Complementary to ‘harmony.’ Among other things, this recognizes that all the innovations designed to achieve the vision may not work; that the system must balance developing existing sure-things with encouraging and supporting innovations even through those innovations might prove to be learning experiences that stimulate improved research and set foundations for other approaches. What some might call “failures”, but the real buzzword for that circular, balanced system is “DBTL” Design Build Test Learn followed by Redesign, Rebuild, Retest, Learn Again. Repeat as needed. Otherwise known as ‘science’ and ‘engineering’.

Replacing the Whole Barrel. Transitioning from a fossil carbon-based economy to one based on agriculture, aquaculture, forestry and waste management is not easy. This conference, by clearly incorporating fuels and chemicals together rather than sticking them in silos, reinforces their interrelationships. At least three presenters, and likely more, showed some version of the an image of the products that come from a barrel of oil. The chemicals make the money. Fuels are made from the parts that can’t be used to make more profitable products (except for what’s required to make sure the fuel meets environmental and performance requirements). It is economically infeasible to do away with one without figuring out what to do with the other.

Real Refinery. Or something similar meaning that biorefineries will increasingly make multiple products from their feedstock, just like oil refineries make everything under the sun from petroleum feedstock. Certainly, these exist now; and examples are also being built that showcase the layout for the future.

For example, an ethanol biorefinery that uses feedstocks like corn/maize, wheat, cassava, etc., today also makes animal feed and maybe CO2 for beverages or industrial purposes; a biodiesel biorefinery may also sell co-products like animal feed and glycerin. New biorefineries and refineries that are part of waste management systems also produce other chemicals and sugars that can be sold as building blocks for other industrial purposes. And oil refineries are starting to replace parts of their petroleum crude oil with biocrude or syncrude for co-processing.

Litany of Challenges

None of this is easy. Not including the difficulties related to obtaining financing, and in no particular order, here are just some of the challenges mentioned in various presentations:

There are no US government incentives for biorefineries to also make renewable, sustainable chemicals as there are incentives for renewable fuels.
More US government funds are available for development of hydrogen and renewable hydrogen from the Biden Administration than have been available for development of bio- and renewable fuels since such funds have been available from about the Carter Administration’s era.
Investors need to understand that these projects can take 7-10 years to bring to commercialization, even with pilot or demonstration scale completed. “Managing investor expectations.” What’s needed? Time, money, leadership, commitment.
Soil carbon science needs to be better developed so farmers can get credit and compensation for the work it takes to maximize carbon removed from the air via photosynthesis and stored in the ground; and the testing and data collection and monitoring related to this. Do cover crops enhance yield the following years or harm it?
Requests for more modular systems. And the strategy of starting small with the option to grow “when the billions come in.”
For new SAF pathways especially, getting through the ASTM process.
“We need to outpace the Industrial Revolution.”
Everyone wants to be first to be second.
IRS delays in setting rules for SAF tax credits.
Water consumption and waste disposal related to hydrogen production from electrolysis.
Efforts toward using 100% SAF; and lack thereof for 100% renewables for ground transportation other than renewable diesel/HVO.
Perception and emotional issues such as farmers preferring markets that put monetary value on crops and perception of subsidy programs as charity.
Carbon intensity scores are not enough. Need standard protocol.
Emphasize other pollutants mitigated or avoided by renewable fuels; and benefits related to UN Sustainable Development Goals.
People should understand that we are talking about defossilization, not just decarbonization. We are talking about needing hydrocarbon fuels and products made from carbon for a long time. And, WE are carbon.
The renewable fuels world welcomes people from the oil/gas world. They have the knowledge and assets to make a transition to renewables. As one speaker making the transition noted, making renewable fuels is more complex than he imagined. There’s plenty of overlap, but the world of drilling wells and the world of growing crops and managing waste have significant differences.
Distrust of policy, especially of executive orders. Distrust of short-term legislation like the SAF tax credits.
Plastics. And everything and anything that has to do with making, using, disposing of or converting them.
Differences among biodegradable, compostable, degradable, recyclable …. Approval for organic growing.
Purpose-grown energy and biofuel crops.
Chloride problem in grasses
Lack of government incentives to build internal combustion engine vehicles that can use high ratios of renewable fuels. Disincentives to getting EPA approval for existing and new vehicles that could use E85. Or developing drop-in renewable fuels for existing fleet.
Lack of high quality, effective communication with the general public about benefits of renewable fuels and chemicals/materials. Assumption that the public understands what the participants at this conference understand about value of renewable alternative fuels and chemicals.

Thank Goodness for the Next Generations (and not just biofuels)

In addition to leaders of established businesses and government agencies, this conference seems to make an effort to also attract early and mid-career professionals and students to the mix, an effort that is to be applauded and encouraged.

For example, Syracuse University’s Dynamic Sustainability Lab had a booth in the exhibit hall and a group of students staffing it and attending presentations.

A few attendees commented that it was refreshing to hear from so many people really trying to do things, not just talking about them.

Another example was a research student from University of California Los Angeles who was able to meet almost all of his grant requirements to interview something like 90 experts related to some aspect of his research in order to direct it into a useful, economically feasible direction. Not only was he able to do some basic networking, he was thrilled with the candid advice he received from people who really understood what his research was about and shared ideas about how it could benefit efforts to mitigate climate change; how it could help address real-world challenges that they were facing.

Other organizations have foundations that support scholarships for students to attend their conferences and to sponsor student or young professional groups that share an interest in the organizations’ topics. AFCC should do something along those lines.

Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen addresses
Federal Agencies Briefing

Conclusion

In the few years of its existence, this organization has found a way to identify and meet the needs of the alternative chemical and fuels community. The significant attendance, fascinating presentations and valuable conversations characteristic of this conference show its value in gathering and moving forward a diverse industry. Especially useful is the incorporation of federal government agency presentations and of appearances by state officials such as Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen who participated in person at Sunday and Monday programs and video addresses by governors from Louisiana and Delaware.

With the multi-track organization of the conference, no one can see and hear everything. Whatever you can attend will prove insightful, informative and will pique further interest and inspiration to continue this crucial work. READ MORE

* Joanne Ivancic serves as the executive director of Advanced Biofuels USA

Symposium audio Climate Smart Commodities & The Bioeconomy

Symposium audio Development of Standards for Industrial Biotechnology and Synthetic Biology – Recent Progress and Future Opportunities

Symposium audio Unlocking the Value of Algae

Symposium audio Federal Agencies Briefing: Executive Order 14081 to Promote Industrial Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing

Workshop audio State of the Art Bioeconomy Project Financing: Debt, Equity, Insurance and Contract Structures

Workshop audio Diversity of Feedstocks to Meet Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) and Renewable Chemicals Goals. Presentations: Lynn Wendt, Wendy Owens, Matthew Langholtz, Brian Stanton, Mark Elless

Workshop audio Understanding the Economics of Carbon Navigating Different Prices Across Diverse Markets Fuel. Presentations: Matthew Stone , Dan Dunleavy, Kate Shenk, Dwight Lynch

Presentations and audio for Track 1, Session 1, Low Carbon Intensity (CI Score) Biobased Products from Waste, and carbon fermentation. Presentations: Cesar Granda, Molly Morse, Larry Feinberg

Presentations and audio for Track 1, Session 3, Business Strategies for Biomaterials. Presentations: Phil Van Trump, Jill Zullo, Jon Veldhouse, Michael Saltzberg, Brian Gordan, Max Senechal

Presentations and audio for Track 1, Session 5, Advancements in the Production of Bioplastics and Biomaterials. Presentations: Lauren Scott, Sasisanker Padmanabhan, Daniel MacEachran, Kelly Knopp, Jacqueline Amable

Presentations and audio for Track 1, Session 6, The Role of Biotech in Building a More Sustainable Economy

Presentations and audio for Track 2, Session 1, Process Development Requirements for Scaling SAF. Presentations: Nick Andrews, Steven Slome,

Presentations and audio for Track 2, Session 2, Innovations in MSW Management at Landfills. Presentations: Kate Chapman

Presentations and audio for Track 2, Session 3, Technology Readiness and Scaling Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF): Presentations: Rich Nordin, Marcella Franchi, Dave Kettner, Marc Delcourt

Presentations and audio for Track 2, Session 4, Using Forest Feedstock under the Renewable Fuel Standard to Mitigate Catastrophic Wildfires, Improve Forest Health and Energize the Economy. Presentations: Valerie Sarisky Reed, David Neumann, Scott Dane, Julie Tucker, Byron Bunker, Paul Schubert

Presentations and audio for Track 2, Session 5, What Does Sustainability Mean to Airlines, Producers, and Government. Presentations: Mark Rumizen

Presentations for Track 2, Session 6, 2G Biofuels Production- Cleaner Processes and Partnerships. Presentations: John Doyle, Berit Foss, Clemens Heikaus, Shrikant Rathi

Presentations for Track 3, Session 1, Sustainable Supply Chain Strategies and Management for Manufacturers. Presentations: Peter Jackman, Alex Ward

Presentations and audio for Track 3, Session 2, Sustainable Cosmetics and Personal Care Ingredients

Presentations and audio for Track 3, Session 3, Biotech and the ESG Missions of Brand Owners

Presentations and audio for Track 3, Session 4, New Biobased Product Alternatives for Industrial Applications. Presentations: William Armiger, Tom Beardsiee, Mark Chandler

Presentations and audio for Track 3, Session 5, Opportunities and Challenges in Bio-based Products. Presentations: John Shaw, Derek Greenfield, Darcy Prather, Eric Steen, Kristian Gubsch

Presentations and audio for Track 3, Session 6, Enzymolysis and Fermentation Trends to New Renewable Chemicals. Presentations: Ken Barrett, Lewis Dutel, Mark Johnson, Brian Fisher, Bret Strogen

Presentations for Track 4, Session 3, Boosts to Enrich Soil & Beneficial Plant Traits for Production of Agri Products. Presentations: David Glass, Josh Silverman, Ben Cloud

Presentations for Track 4, Session 4, Significant Advances in Environmental Analytics and Their Important Commercial Impact on the Bio-Based Economy. Presentations: Jule Bushell, Bill Salas, Josh Collins, Robin Woodward, Paul Zorner

Presentations and audio for Track 4, Session 5, The Value of Soil Carbon Capture Sequestration (SCCS) for Carbon Negative Solutions (Low Carbon Intensity CI score materials). Presentations: Paul Overby, Mitchell Hora, Karen Boyd, Charlotte Levy, Carrie Werkmeister, Aldyen Donnely

Presentations and audio for Track 5, Session 1, Alternative Fuels – Current Status for Infrastructure and Manufacturing for New Biofuels. Presentations, Joshua Velson, Andrew Miller, Nirav Patel

Presentations and audio for Track 5, Session 2, Building the Supply Chain: Biofuels and Biomaterials. Presentations: Timothy Bauer, Matt Herman, Guy Penard, Manjusri Misra

Presentations for Track 5, Session 3, SynBio & The New Normal of Low Capital Availability. Presentations: Brentan Alexander, Roger Wyse

Presentations and audio for Track 5, Session 4, The Importance of End-of-Life When Establishing Targets for the Bioeconomy, Presentations: Leslie Rodgers, Jeff Carbeck, Keith Edwards, Eric Klingenberg, Eugene Van Rensburg

Presentations and audio for Track 5, Session 5, What are Investors Looking for when Building Their Portfolio in Industrial Biotechnology Biobased Manufacturing? Presentations: Justin O’Rourke, John Akridge

Presentations and audio for Track 5, Session 6, Laboratory-Embedded Entrepreneur Programs Advancing the Bioeconomy. Presentations: Tommy Gibbons, Mikhail Konev, Todd Pray, Diane Bauer, Daneille Pascoli, Chris Nicholas

Photos: J.Ivancic

Tags

Transportation Fuels Policy tax policy Sustainability soil carbon recycling recycled plastics plastic oil refineries modular Jetfuel (Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)) Investing health benefits Green Jobs environmental policy drop-in biofuels/hydrocarbons Department of Transportation (DOT) Department of Energy (DOE) Department of Agriculture (USDA) defossilization co-products co-processing carbon credit BioRefineries/Renewable Fuel Production bioplastics BioChemicals/Renewable Chemicals Aviation Fuel/Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) aviation fuel (SAF) tax credit ASTM D7566 (Standard Specification for Aviation Turbine Fuel Containing Synthesized Hydrocarbons) ASTM Agricultural Policy 100% SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel)

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