Aligning the supply and value chain is one of the greatest challenge towards developing new materials, technology and construction of a biorefinery. In this webinar Futurity will talk through their unique approach to collaboration and demonstrate the importance of bringing
by Sreeparna Das (BioMarket Insights) ... The collection & sorting of plastics waste is quite far from being at the required level. And, the recycled grades often don’t stand a chance against their low-cost virgin counterparts because of certain technical limitations,
by Chris Clayton (DTN Progressive Farmer) Democratic leaders put a heavy emphasis on rural broadband and health care while criticizing the Trump administration and President Trump directly on trade, biofuels, climate change and the pandemic response. A western Pennsylvania soybean and hay
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) Night 3 of the Democratic National Convention featured a lengthy 11-minute take on Joe Biden's climate and clean energy strategy that hammered home some of his big themes rather than the wonky details (which you
Scaling Up 2020, Canada’s 5th annual international industrial bioeconomy business conference, will be Virtual this year. During the months of September and October, we will host a series of eight one-hour webinars featuring some of the globe’s leading speakers in the
by Luke Geiver (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The push to alter biogenic emissions regulations could boost corn farming and ethanol production while cementing the role of biobased solutions in the fight against climate change. Political inertia, however, remains the primary barrier
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) 2020 is a doozy for many biofuel and bioeconomy companies but here are 5 companies – several that were voted for The Digest’s Hot 50 companies – that are taking 2020 by the reins and
(Canton Daily Ledger/US Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service) Lesquerella (a.k.a. Fendler’s bladderpod and Yellow Top) is a member of the mustard family that’s native to the U.S. Southwest. But Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists are now eyeing it as a
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) Imagine sitting on the beach with a bioplastic cup with micro-encapsulated, water soluble cannabinoids printed on the cups so the actives and flavors are released when it comes in contact with water, soda, or other
(Biofuture Platform) Principles have been designed to help economies create jobs in a sector severely hit by the crisis -- The Biofuture Platform, a twenty-country, multi-stakeholder initiative, announced today the launch of a set of voluntary principles. These are intended to
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) At ABLC Digital in July, Pramod Kumbhar, President and CTO at Praj Matrix’s R&D Center shared this illuminating slide guide on their Bio-Mobility platform, enfinity – Praj’s 2G ethanol technology, their latest work in marine
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... New research shows sustainability has moved from a fringe preference into a core imperative across American life. According to a new survey from clean manufacturing leader Genomatica, 56% of Americans want brands and government to prioritize
by Luke Upton (Biomarket Insights) ... We recently caught up with two of Futurity’s founders, CEO Jacob Kohn and CTO Dr. Gaetano Dedual who are on the cusp of some major breakthroughs in their goal to establish a first-of-its-kind commercial biorefinery in Tairāwhiti Gisborne, on
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) While taking a dip in the ocean, take a good look at that squid in a different light…researchers at the US Army Research Institute are developing a renewable, self-healing material inspired by squid teeth in
(U.S. Department of Energy) Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced more than $97 million in funding for 33 projects that will support high-impact technology research and development to accelerate the bioeconomy. These projects will improve the performance and lower
(Novamont) Novamont’s commitment to be a force for global regeneration with higher purposes than mere profit was strengthened today by being awarded the ‘B Corp’ Certification. The Italian bioplastic manufacturer has joined 3,423 companies spanning 150 industries in 71 countries
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Carbon is the talk of the town, but what’s the difference between a low-carbon economy and a renewable “new” carbon economy? What’s the role of carbon management in the bioeconomy? What is carbon optimized bioconversion? David Babson,
(EU Science Hub) The latest brief prepared by the JRC for the European Commission’s Knowledge Centre for Bioeconomy (KCB) informs about algae biomass production in the EU and globally, and maps algae production units in Europe. It reports increasing production
(Praj Industries) Praj Industries (Praj) and Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) have entered into MoU to jointly drive application development of advanced biofuels that will find usage in industry and transportation. Biofuels developed for the mobility sector will have
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) There was always going to be a point when the advanced bioeconomy reached the end of the “R&D years” and transitioned into “the years of deployment”, and if you read the Biden plan here or the latest pushback from
by Nat Williams (Illinois Farmer Today) The ethanol industry has a long, complicated history. But supporters believe the best days are ahead. “Fuel ethanol was a thing as early as early as automobiles. Henry Ford made his automobiles to run on ethanol
(Insider.co.uk) Innovation body's Bioeconomy Cluster Builder aims to help firms unlock £8 million funding -- ... "We want to encourage companies, start-ups and spin-outs to look at value chains and other opportunities for the production of renewable biological resources, and their
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) It’s a hungry week for renewable chemicals and materials at The Digest. From KFC’s 3D bioprinted chicken substitute to Beyond Meat’s expansion into Brazil, we can eat to our heart’s content while drinking up with
(Advanced Biofuels USA) The second episode of "Just A Minute or So about Renewable Fuels" focuses on making chemicals from waste CO2 in a circular economy. Students, teachers, or anyone interested in renewables can see in a 3-minute slide presentation
by Cynthia Thyfault and Gerard J. Ostheimer (Global Biofuture Solutions/Biofuels Digest) Impact investing is an exciting and rapidly growing industry powered by investors who are determined to generate social and environmental impact as well as financial returns. This is taking place all over
(Sekab) The companies Peab Asfalt and Sekab have reached a milestone by replacing a fraction of the oil-based bitumen with softwood lignin on a highly busy road area in Sweden. The progress has been made under the EU project Rewofuel. The Rewofuel
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ABB is making a world of difference with more sustainable use of resources and energy projects. What are their 2030 targets? How are they using pioneering tech and responsible operations to move the needle forward? How
by Irini Angelidaki (Technical University of Denmark) ... “Soon bacteria, yeast, and fungi will become the factories that produce not only fuel, but also a wide range of chemicals, plastics, and even proteins,” says Professor Irini Angelidaki, DTU Environment. An important realization
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) What companies are investing and working in algae today? What about algae’s biomass production? The big players and partner industries? Initiatives for growing the algae industry? How does the 2018 farm bill dramatically expand support for
5 July 2020 Opening Highlights The first ever entirely virtual edition of the European Biomass Conference and Exhibition started today with the opening session streamed online. This year’s theme of the EUBCE is the role of the bioeconomy in the post-pandemic
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) A company that designs materials at a molecular level by optimizing microbes to biomanufacture unique structural oils discovered in nature, but not previously accessible commercially, is what Checkerspot is all about. Check out their Slide Guide from
(IEA Bioenergy) Novel regional and landscape governance approaches aim at addressing complex sustainability challenges by enhancing commitment and collaboration between multiple stakeholders and sectors to achieve common goals for a more sustainable production at larger geographical scales and across sectors, regardless
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) just released a new report that outlines five specific, yet broadly applicable, areas of focus to reduce costs in an integrated biorefinery. This analysis builds upon ongoing R&D strategies to lower
(Praj) Speaking at a plenary session of Advanced Bioeconomy Leadership Conference (ABLC) 2020 Digital that is underway, Dr. Pramod Chaudhari, Executive Chairman, announced Praj's foray into the global Renewable Chemicals and Materials (RCM) industry. ABLC 2020 Digital is an annual
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) Biogas, carbon, renewable diesel, biodiesel, methane, hydrogen, and many new markets, innovations, technologies, novel crops, and more were the talk of the day. On day 2 of ABLC Digital it was chock full of content from
(U.S. Department of Energy) This website provides researchers interested in bioenergy and bioeconomy analysis with an inventory of bioenergy and bioproducts models and tools, key information about each model, and an interactive display of relationships among models. This bioenergy models collection highlights
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) ... In today’s Digest, how a brewery in Australia is utilizing algae that eats up CO2 and spits out oxygen, all the cool things you can make with beer and liquor production waste (going
by Katariina Torvinen (VTT (Technical Research Centre of Finland)/BioMarket Insights) ... Over-consuming of fossil reserves, resource insufficiency and climate change require the renewal of the existing materials paradigm. Advanced and high added-value wood-based materials can play an important role in
(Elsevier) Bioenergy: Biomass to Biofuels and Waste to Energy, 2nd Edition presents a complete overview of the bioenergy value chain, from feedstock to end products. It examines current and emerging feedstocks and advanced processes and technologies enabling the development of
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) ... Macaúba is known for its high productivity and adaptability to the most adverse climate conditions and even better, the fruit’s shell, pulp, endocarp, and almond can be converted into a range of food
Transforming the bioeconomy from “a niche to the norm” is a challenge that runs through our industry, whether its scale up, supply chains or customer behaviour, there many hurdles that need to be overcome to create a successful business. At
by Liz Gyekye (BioMarket Insights) ... BBI JU (Bio-Based Industries Joint Undertaking) has launched a new publication entitled ‘BBI JU: a high-impact initiative for green recovery of Europe’. The booklet highlights the environmental, socio-economic and technological impacts of the initiative supported
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Everything’s better with biology, so here’s The Digest’s newly released Top 15 case studies of today’s hottest technology and new markets for traditional oil and gas refiners. What are our top picks? Spoiler Alert: The top 15
by Ana Flávia Silva Paiva and Isabela Almeida Rodrigues* (Federal University of Goias/ Brazilian National Institute of Science and Technology for Studies on the United States/ Advanced Biofuels USA) The Webinar, “Integration between biofuels: strategies to overcome the crisis,” held on
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... A thread of hope appeared this week from the bioeconomy’s Wolfpack, seven due diligence experts hungry for value — Paul Bryan, Ron Cascone, David Dodds, Michele Rubino, Joel Stone and Steve Weiss. Let’s see how they
by Anu D. Vij and Mike Pawlowski (Ship & Shore Environmental/Biofuels Digest) There is increasing emphasis on Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) applications in today’s Green Economy. Technology is moving at a rapid pace for RNG. Refinement of streams from a variety
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Benson Hill, Yield10 and Marrone Bio are in the news this week with advances in their crop technologies aimed at yield improvement and nutritional composition. Yield continues to be the motherlode when it comes to agricultural
(Department of Energy) Learn more about bioenergy, biofuels, and bioproducts -- OPERATION BioenergizeME is the Bioenergy Technologies Office’s (BETO’s) education and workforce development base camp for students, educators, and anyone seeking to better understand the opportunities, promises, and challenges of developing a
(BioMarket Insight) The UK-based scientists at the Universities of Birmingham and Bath have developed what they describe as a “faster, more efficient way” of recycling plant-based bioplastics. The team has shown how their chemical recycling method not only speeds up the process,
by Gerard J. Ostheimer and Douglas L. Faulkner (below50/“the Clean Tech Conservative”/Leatherstocking LLC/Biofuels Digest) ... (W)e would like to point out a number of anniversaries put biofuels and bio-based products into a deeper and provocative historical context: 85 years ago,
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) DigestConnect hosted a wildly popular webinar in late April with Clariant’s Head of Business Line, Biofuels & Derivatives at Clariant but there were so many fantastic audience questions we didn’t to, that we decided to follow
(Bio-based Industries Joint Undertaking) Bio-based Industries Joint Undertaking: a €3.7 billion partnership between the EU and the Bio-based Industries Consortium -- The Bio-based Industries Joint Undertaking (BBI JU) has signed grant agreements with the projects selected for funding under the 2019 Call for
(Office of Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO)) Today (May 20, 2020) the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation passed S. 3712 and S. 3734, two bipartisan bills cosponsored by U.S. Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) and designed to strengthen our nation’s cybersecurity
by Jordan Solomon (Ecostrat Inc./Biofuels Digest) The US has over a billion tons of biomass which can be used as a key lever to drive economic recovery. USDA estimates that 3.4 million jobs and nearly $660 billion of economic benefits
(Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials) As part of the Fuelling the Sustainable Bioeconomy powered by Boeing’s Global Engagement Portfolio, RSB gathered a group of key stakeholders in the Ethiopian bioeconomy to examine and uncover strategies and scenarios for the future development of
(Biofuels Digest) DigestConnect is a weekly online get-together for the bioeconomy, featuring trendsetters and online commentary by real leaders on the real issues. DigestConnect #9 is here. Today we are joined by Joanne Ivancic with Advanced Biofuels USA, Graham Noyes of
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) In Switzerland, the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials offered updates on their “Fueling the Sustainable Bioeconomy” project powered by Boeing’s Global Engagement Portfolio, including the latest activities in three countries identified to be of key importance given
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) As biology ravages the global economy, we have a once-in-a-lifetime, trillion-dollar opportunity to help shape how biology will also rebuild it, reports Synbiobeta. We can redefine the economy, supply chains, and manufacturing at local, state, national,
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) A new technology that produces a doubling of overall biomass in algae and 40 percent in camelina has appeared on the horizon, and I’d like to draw your attention to this work in The Plant Journal and this
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The Biogenic CO2 Coalition sent a letter to Capitol Hill on May 11 asking lawmakers to direct the U.S. EPA to promptly publish a rule that states neither agricultural biomass nor woody biomass contribute to
(The European Bioeconomy Alliance (EUBA)/Biofuels Digest) The ambitious European Commission strategy to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the EU and achieve climate neutrality by 2050 has recently been set in motion as the European Green Deal. The European Bioeconomy Alliance (EUBA),
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) There’s a new way to invest in decarbonizing transportation. This week, the Seattle-based angel investor community known as E8 launched Decarbon8-US, that could break down several barriers holding back the scale-up of cleantech, especially barriers faced by
(The European Bioeconomy Alliance (EUBA)/Biofuels Digest) The ambitious European Commission strategy to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the EU and achieve climate neutrality by 2050 has recently been set in motion as the European Green Deal. The European Bioeconomy Alliance (EUBA),
by Josh Boyce (Blackburn News) The Cellulosic Sugar Producers Co-operative (CSPC) has announced that it’s ceasing operations to mitigate ongoing expenses and costs. The Ontario farmer-owned co-operative said it’s purchased back all investments made by farmers, including the membership shares. The co-operative was
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) As I write, the May contract for West Texas Intermediate is selling for -$40.21 a barrel, or a negative cost of $240 per tonne. Let’s put that in context, you can throw unmixed useless garbage into
by Bill Hagy (Lee Enterprises Consulting, Inc./Biofuels Digest) A series of PowerPoint Presentations outlining key Federal Financial Programs and Assistance that are available to support the domestic bioeconomy have been provided. This was not intended to be an” all inclusive” listing of
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) While the world may be at a standstill,there are still many projects going on and moving forward. But where are these projects? Who’s involved? How far along are they? What are they working on? From
by Pan Demetrakakes (Food Processing) One of the more obscure effects of the coronacrisis is starting to worry American meat processors: a lack of industrial carbon dioxide. CO2 is used in several ways in meat processing: as a gas to stun birds
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) “There is no substitute for a fully integrated pilot process,” said Mark Warner in this illuminating presentation on how to get from concept to commercialization for novel proteins. But what are the economic implications of
by Noppadon Sathitsuksanoh (University of Louisville/Biofuels Diges) In Kentucky, Louisville scientists add value to solid wastes from the hemp product industry. Their research exploits a simple process that transforms the waste into levulinic acid, a valuable chemical and a cement
(Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory) Biofuels are an important part of the broader strategy to replace petroleum-based gasoline, diesel, and jet fuels that we use today. However, biofuels have so far not reached cost parity with conventional petroleum fuels. One strategy to make
(European Investment Bank) Financing is guaranteed by the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) and will help make the sector more resilient in light of Covid-19; New financing targets investments by private cooperatives and companies in the agriculture and bioeconomy sector;
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) Amidst a tsunami of wall-to-wall ‘Rona coverage, a series of storylines have been lost in the shuffle that will have impacts near and wide-ranging for the bioeconomy, some of them relating directly to testing, scale-up
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... The Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) was founded in 2007 by a small group of leading organisations from civil society, industry and academia with a mission of promoting the global sustainable production, conversion and use
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The crises, the macro drivers and the emerging trends abound. Ethanol vs Gasoline, Drop-ins vs Novel, Chemicals vs Materials, Food vs Feed, Mandates vs Low Carbon Fuel Standards, Digital Biology vs Artisans, Gas vs Liquid
Ed de Jong, Heinz Stichnothe, Geoff Bell and Henning Jørgensen (EIA Bioenergy) Since the first issue of the IEA Bioenergy Task 42 report on bio-based chemicals in 2011, the importance of a circular economy has become evident. In the transition to
by C.J. Evans (Alternative Fuels & Chemicals Coalition/American Diversified Energy/Biofuels Digest) The Alternative Fuels & Chemicals Coalition (AFCC) has been working on Capitol Hill for the past two months to advocate for FY2021 federal programs and funding that are of importance to the
by Ike Levine, Tiffany Cannis and Marissa Nalley (Algae Industry Magazine) In these turbulent times, when many educational programs are in limbo, we wondered what is happening to algae education? For a perspective, we asked leaders of the Algae Foundation
by Gerard J. Ostheimer and Douglas L. Faulkner (below50/Leatherstocking LLC/Biofuels Digest) ... The 1 – 2 punch of the COVID-19 economic hit and the Saudi – Russian fight over oil markets have combined to collapse the price of oil. Low
(Biotechnology Innovation Organization) Maine is speeding up its transformation to a 21st-century, biobased economy with the passing of the Renewable Chemicals Tax Credit, which will foster the production of environmentally friendly innovations—like renewable chemicals and biobased products. “In order to address
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) There are several federal R&D programs out there supporting biofuels, biopower, biochemcials and biobased products. If you don’t know what they are, check out this slide guide from Bill Hagy at Lee Enterprises Consulting and
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) During the week of March 16-20, 2020, The Digest surveyed its readers on how they were impacted by the Coronavirus health & economic crisis, and how they were responding. The bioeconomy’s pioneers are an optimistic bunch, and
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The past few weeks have been a roller coaster ride and here are the numbers to visualize what is going on. In today's Digest, a graphic look at Dow Jones Industrials, biodiesel operating margins, ethanol operating margins,
(U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation Subcommittee on Science, Oceans, Fisheries, and Weather) The hearing examined the bioeconomy, the federal government’s role in the bioeconomy, and the potential risks from such research. Witnesses will also discuss the necessary
(Textile World) ... UPM Biofuels produces bio-based feedstock UPM BioVerno from the residue of the pulping process. This is then processed by SABIC to make renewable ethylene under their TRUCIRCLE™ umbrella of solutions. TRUCIRCLE™ includes certified renewable products, specifically resins
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Abu Dhabi, food and beverage company Agthia Group PJSC is set to launch the Middle East’s first plant-based water bottle made from corn sugar with caps made from sugarcane, and can biodegrade within 80 days.
(MetGen) Futurity, whose mission is to outperform oil with trees through the production of advanced chemicals and materials from plantation forestry in New Zealand has finalized a licensing agreement with the Finnish company MetGen Oy. Cooperation will allow the development of
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) USDA made a big announcement recently on targeting 30% biofuels by 2050, but did you know there are many ways they have been adding value to agricultural products to help the rural economy? Did you
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Sit back and just imagine, hanging out at the new International Arctic Station that runs on solar, wind, and hydrogen power, sipping on a Pepsi 6-pack that came in molded pulp rings, eating lunch from a
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) If you have not followed the Alternative and Renewable Fuels Forum, bookmark this, and today I’ll give you some of the flavor of this group with 110 members — project owners and developers, policy experts, technologists,
by Mark Warner (Warner Advisors LLC/Food Navigator) Can 60% of current meat consumption be replaced by novel vegan meat replacements and cultured meat in the next 20 years? That is what AT Kearney has recently projected, but the analysis does
(AmericaBio/Biofuels Digest) ... Our company develops technologies for the deconstruction of forest and also agricultural biomass for sugars that are used for production of renewable fuels, typically ethanol, and higher value products such as Omega-3, SCP, xylo oligosaccharides (XOS), acetic
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) What a weird week – yummy string beans fertilized with human urine in the form of struvite and cultivated using artificial Martian and lunar soil, making Marvin the Martian hungry for some beans. If that’s too
(Carolina Opportunity Funds/PR Newswire) Inaugural Investment for IMPACT Carolina QOZ Fund -- Carolina Opportunity Funds is pleased to announce that BioEconomy Solutions, a technology leader in sustainable agricultural crops for biofuels, animal feed, and food products such as Tiger Nut flour,
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) It’s fun to be 1st and this week is full of them…from the first hydrogen-based residential area in the Netherlands to the world’s first commercial-scale production plant of 5-HMF via AVA Biochem and Michelin Group’s new
by Giuliano Dragone, Abraham A.J.Kerssemakers, Jasper L.S.P.Driessen, Celina K.Yamakawa, Larissa P.Brumano, Solange I.Mussatto (Bioresource Technology) Advanced biorefineries are seen as key to implement a sustainable biobased economy. • Total valorization of biomass can boost the industrial implementation of biorefineries. •
(Eni) Versalis, Eni’s chemical company, has announced that all the plants at Crescentino (Vercelli, Piedmont) will be up and running by the first half of 2020. The plant, acquired in November 2018, is designed for industrial-scale production of bioethanol and has
by Cynthia Thyfault (Global Biofuture Solutions) The USDA Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program, also known as the “9003” program, provides loan guarantees up to $250 million to assist in the development, construction, and retrofitting of commercial scale
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) We all will die eventually, but one burial-garment designer and one bioengineer are thinking of future human burials on Mars with a new death garment made of four 100% biodegradable layers from silk and they plan
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Revolutionizing the product development process in life-science based markets through the use of Computational Predictive Biology platform – sounds like a big mission, but for Evogene, it’s just what they do. They utilize artificial intelligence
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The infinity symbol…a figure 8 on its side, a lemniscate…no matter what you call it, it signifies the concept of limitlessness or eternity which is what the bioeconomy has been doing lately in its limitless innovations.
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Digest published today a 2020 Deal Review and Outlook Bioeconomy M&A visual guide that looks at the slurry of recent mergers and acquisitions in the bioeconomy like Lygos and Librede, NuSeed and Agrisoma, FinCo Fuels
by Florence Schulz, translated by Daniel Eck (EURACTIV.de) Could bacteria assist in the recycling of greenhouse gases in the future instead of releasing them into the atmosphere? European researchers are working to reverse the metabolism of intestinal bacteria that feed
(Technische Universitat Dresden/EurekAlert!) The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is funding the research consortium with a grant of more than two million euros. The Science Year 2020 has its focus on Bioeconomy with the aim of communicating state-of-the-art research
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) From big companies like Mattel and their first building block sets made from bioplastics, to smaller innovators and entrepreneurs, the bioeconomy had a busy week with innovations. A new plant-based faux fur that incorporates SORONA, a
by Rachel Clark (Badger Herald) Biofuels used in industry have shown promising signs of advancement in bioproducts --The Wisconsin Energy Institute held a panel to discuss the viability of biofuels and bioproducts as replacements to other, more harmful types of
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) We are always trying to optimize – optimize processes, efficiencies, cost, value, and more, but did you know that the U.S. Department of Energy Bioenergy Technologies Office has a program just for this sort of thing?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) What are the bottlenecks that prevent technologies from fueling the bioeconomy? Is it government? Is it lack of public acceptance or perception? Is it lack of access to capital? How about lack of market pull?
(U.S. Department of Energy) Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced up to over $96 million in funding for bioenergy research and development. This funding supports the U.S. bioeconomy, as well as DOE's goal of providing consumers and businesses
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... We need “idealism without illusion”, as President John F. Kennedy once defined it. ... For that task, there is no better leader we’ve seen on the Democratic side this season than Senator Amy Klobuchar
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) It was a week of lots of deal-making, like edible straw startup Loliware’s raising of $5.9 million to scale production, and deal-breaking, like Itaconix and Nouryon’s break-up over biobased chelating agents for detergent applications. But it was
(Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants (UFOP)) The “Green Deal” starts in the field -- Berlin, 16 January 2020. The Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants (UFOP) would like to take the publication of the
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) ... In California comes the hot news that Lygos, who you may know for their sugar converting advanced biotech platform, has acquired Librede, Inc., an emerging synthetic biology company focused on cannabinoid products for the consumer
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Kermit the Frog said “It’s not easy being green,” but these innovations might just change that and make it easier than ever to support a biobased economy. From a 100% compostable plant-based iPhone case, to Taco
(Biofuels International) Finnish company UPM has marked the five-year anniversary of the start of operations of the first biorefinery in the world to produce wood-based advanced biofuels, the Lappeenranta Biorefinery. The facility uses wood-based residual raw material crude tall oil to
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Exclusively created for Digest Readers, here is a Digest 2020 Visual Guide to the Bioeconomy based on the latest data out there. From biodiesel and ethanol operating margins to liquid energy commodity prices, RIN prices
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) As you clean up the post-holiday mess, you might find those annoying packaging peanuts all over your home or office…but three teens have developed an alternative to packing peanuts made from sunflower stem pith! And while
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Algae is a wondrous thing…and here are 10 reasons why. But that’s not all! What about polyurethanes? Fully renewable polyurethanes from unsaturated lipids and protein-derived amine cross linkers? Check out this Slide-Guide from NREL’s Philip Pienkos
by Mark Warner (Warner Advisors LLC/Biofuels Digest) ... Housed in a region with significant historic chemical operations, including the home of where buna rubber was first commercialized, Eastern Germany is similar to parts of the industrial midwestern United States. The area
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The National Corn Growers Association is working hard to increase demand, improve productivity and environmental sustainability and more, but how are they doing this? How do their programs help drive the bioeconomy? What misinformation are
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) By taking a low pH yeast platform and adding in some BioFab and software, machine learning and artificial intelligence, you get new materials development, said Eric Steen from Lygos during his presentation at ABLC NEXT
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The bioeconomy is kickstarting 2020 with a flurry of innovations, like a millennial entrepreneur who developed a method to convert invasive toxic algae commonly called “rock snot” into various materials including paper, fabric and bioplastic. Another
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Money, money, money – a growing bioeconomy needs lots of it. But with so many challenges like a lack of certainty in government programs or a perceived lack of funds at the company and project levels,
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) A mere “The Year in Rewind” as we sail into 2020? Not the good ship Digest! Instead, we dust off our crystal ball and offer our predictions for the year ahead. As the sunset of 2019 gives
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Florida, the 2020 “50 Hottest Companies in the Advanced Bioeconomy” was published today, as voted by invited international Selectors and subscribers of The Digest, the world’s most widely-read bioeconomy daily. The full list can be found
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest)Kiverdi is taking carbon-rich waste and converting it to sustainable chemicals with their carbon engineering. With CO2 and syngas fed into their reactor, they are creating targeted chemicals like hydrocarbon monomers, esters, terpenes and more. Jason Husk
(Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science/National Center for Biotechnology Information) The emergence of politically driven bioeconomy strategies worldwide calls for considering the ecological issues associated with bio-based products. Traditionally, life cycle analysis (LCA) approaches are key tools used to assess
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) It’s Christmas morning for many and biobased Barbies are on the horizon with Mattel’s promise to use only recycled, recyclable, or renewable plastics in all products by 2030, starting with the Fisher-Price Rock-a-Stack made from sugarcane
(EFI) EFI, Natural Resources Institute Finland (LUKE) and University of Eastern Finland (UEF) are joining forces to create an International Bioeconomy Knowledge Hub (BioHub) in Joensuu. The three organisations signed a Memorandum of Understanding earlier this month. “We need to significantly increase
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) For some, it’s holiday shopping season and now LEGO’s first bioplastic block set is an option! The kit—appropriately designed to make a treehouse—uses sugarcane-based polyethylene. Another great gift Top 10 Innovation from this week is French
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Novozymes & Green Plains, Arzeda & BP, and Inscripta & a bunch of investors new and returning — three transformative market shifts this week of epic proportion. Grabbing the dollar headlines has to be Inscripta’s eye-watering $125
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Codexis has reimagined the degree, and speed, of transformation of protein performance possible through protein engineering – Better libraries, better (bigger) data and a highly integrated workflow that leads to rapid, and very large, performance improvements.
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) Functional food ingredients from unused plant materials is just what Renmatix and Cargill are aiming to explore with their new joint development agreement, but what makes this breaking news even more fascinating is that Renmatix
(Biotechnology Innovation Organization) The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) has submitted comments to the Office of Science Technology and Policy (OSTP) on the bioeconomy, explaining the critical role America’s biotechnology industry plays in feeding, fueling, and healing the world. The comments were recently highlighted
(Government of Canada Trade Commissioner Service) The bioeconomy sector is a key priority in both Canada and Germany. This mission will focus on introducing Canadian companies that have strong R&D expertise and capacity in this sector to potential leading German
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... For sure, Britain has historic opportunities in the bioecononmy to take a leadership position by jettisoning the worst of the EU restrictions and adopting new measures to add value to British agriculture, increase British
(European Commission) The European Commission today presented The European Green Deal – a roadmap for making the EU's economy sustainableby turning climate and environmental challenges into opportunities across all policy areas and making the transition just and inclusive for all. President Ursula von der Leyen said: ‘The European
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) From Jose Cuervo’s new project to convert agave byproduct into biodegradable straws to death (corpse to compost), this week’s Top 10 Innovations are a hoot to boot. Car maker Ford is using McDonald’s coffee waste in
(U.S. Department of Energy) The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) intends to issue, on behalf of the Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO), a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) entitled “FY20 Bioenergy Technologies Multi-Topic FOA”. BETO develops technologies that convert domestic biomass
(World Biogas Association) -If all barriers were removed, the biogas industry could abate up to 4bn tonnes of CO2 equivalent annually, representing at least 12% of today’s global emissions, by 2030. -Today only 2% of the feedstock available globally to
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Taking non-reyclable waste to sustainable chemicals and biofuels is Enerkem’s world. Current products from ‘trash’ include syngas, methanol and ethanol with alternative pathways currently under development. Andrea Redford, Chief Business Development Officer from Enerkem gave this
by Ronald Cascone (Nexant, Inc./Biofuels Digest) ... Durable items are those that are in use for a long time, even years, mostly are rigid, have substantial weight per item, generally are not littered, are typically of more expensive performance polymers
(U.S. Department of Energy) On November 21, 2019, U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry announced the launch of the Plastics Innovation Challenge, a comprehensive U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) program to accelerate innovations in energy-efficient plastics recycling technologies. Plastics are
by Sam A. Rushing (Advanced Cryogenics/Biofuels Digest) ... Food and beverage applications often account for 70% of all tonnage consumed in the merchant sector. There are also demands of a captive and sequestration nature, which in my view, are generally categorized
(Biorenewable Deployment Consortium) The Biorenewable Deployment Consortium tracks global developments in the biobased Industries. Several key trends have emerged over the last decade: 1. The development of biobased products will vary widely by region on a worldwide basis, and national policy
by Liz Gyekye (BioMarket Insights) ... Biome Bioplastics CEO Paul Mines said that the discussion around plastics isn’t solely about its end of life but its start of life. He also said that the production of oil-based plastics was hugely carbon
(European Investment Bank) The European Commission and the European Investment Bank announce the selection of an Investment Advisor for the upcoming European Circular Bioeconomy Fund -- The fund aims to provide financing for innovative circular bioeconomy companies and projects in
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The holiday season is in full gear for some and this means coming up with gifts for family and friends. For The Digest readers this week, there is no dearth of biobased alternatives to consider like
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) Air Protein created the first air-based meat created from elements found in the air we breathe. The new air-based meat substance can be used to make burgers, chicken, turkey or virtually any meat product you
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... It’s Thanksgiving in the U.S. today and many are gathering around the table, chatting about the latest news, like the new Air Protein – air-based food – and whether it will be served alongside…or
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