(Aarhus University/EurekAlert!) Using an unusual, light-dependent enzyme and a newly discovered enzymatic mechanism, researchers from Aarhus University and MIT have enabled the biological synthesis of high-yield industry relevant production of climate neutral drop-in fuels from biowaste -- ... A special light-dependent
enzymes
Back TO HOMENew Bioenergy Enzyme Solution Harnesses the Untapped Potential of Corn
(Novozymes) Novozymes, the world leader in biological solutions, has expanded its portfolio of innovative enzyme solutions for the bioenergy industry with the launch of Fortiva Hemi. The unique new product brings novel enzymes to liquefaction that enable unmatched substrate conversion to
December 15, 2020 Read Full Article
“Life in Plastic, It’s Fantastic” – Braskem Invests $67M in Recycling Line, DOE Plastics Innovation Challenge
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) ... Like Braskem’s news that they are expanding their post-consumer resin portfolio and investing $67 million in the construction of a recycling line with capacity to transform around 250 million pieces of packaging into 14,000
December 07, 2020 Read Full Article
Understanding Bacteria's Metabolism Could Improve Biofuel Production
by Jules Bernstein (University of California - Riverside/Phys.Org) A new study reveals how bacteria control the chemicals produced from consuming 'food.' The insight could lead to organisms that are more efficient at converting plants into biofuels. The study, authored by scientists at
December 03, 2020 Read Full Article
Enzymes and Microbes Produce More with Less: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Novozymes
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In September, Novozymes announced they would be a more customer-centric organization. But what does that mean? And how did COVID-19 affect their business strategy for the remaining 2020 months? Find out in this illuminating slide
November 30, 2020 Read Full Article
Research Creates Hydrogen-Producing Living Droplets, Paving Way for Alternative Future Energy Sources
(University of Bristol) Scientists have built tiny droplet-based microbial factories that produce hydrogen, instead of oxygen, when exposed to daylight in air. The findings of the international research team based at the University of Bristol and Harbin Institute of Technology
November 27, 2020 Read Full Article
Carbios Will Knock Your Socks off, Produces First Clear Plastic Bottles from Enzymatically Recycled Textile Waste
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) Carbios will knock your socks off with their enzyme tech that is now converting textile waste and your old polyester socks and sweaters into clear plastic bottles. We’ve heard of clothing made from plastic bottles
November 23, 2020 Read Full Article
Coaxing Crops to Create Animal Proteins, Cucumber Peels for Food Packaging Polymers, and More: The Digest’s Top 8 Innovations for the Week of November 20th
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) Cucumber peels converted into cellulose nanocrystals with potential to be used in food packaging, bamboo and sugar waste tableware that biodegrades in 60 days, a new pen design with edible ink and compostable materials, coaxing
November 20, 2020 Read Full Article
8 Hauntingly Good Innovations, Plant-Based Hair Extensions, Bacardi Biodegradable Bottle, Cultured Steak on Mars, and More: The Digest’s Top 8 Innovations for the Week of October 30th
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) This week’s Top 8 Innovations are so good, it’s scary. From plant-based hair extensions that could come in handy for your Halloween costume, cultured meat so astronauts can enjoy steaks on Mars, and Barcardi making
October 30, 2020 Read Full Article
New Lignin-Splitting Method Inspired by Nature
by Mark E. Griffin (Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center) ... “Bacteria and fungi break down plants through a number of different ways. When you see mushrooms growing on dead logs in a forest, they are breaking down the plant cell
October 29, 2020 Read Full Article
Making Biodiesel from Dirty Old Cooking Oil Just Got Way Easier
(RMIT University/EurekAlert!) New ultra-efficient catalyst can recycle old cooking oil into biodiesel and turn food scraps into high-value complex molecules -- Researchers have developed a powerful, low-cost method for recycling used cooking oil and agricultural waste into biodiesel, and turning food
October 27, 2020 Read Full Article
Characterization and Engineering of a Two-Enzyme System for Plastics Depolymerization
by Brandon C. Knott, Erika Erickson, Mark D. Allen, Japheth E. Gado, Rosie Graham, Fiona L. Kearns, Isabel Pardo, Ece Topuzlu, Jared J. Anderson, Harry P. Austin, Graham Dominick, Christopher W. Johnson, Nicholas A. Rorrer, Caralyn J. Szostkiewicz, Valérie Copié, Christina M. Payne, H. Lee Woodcock, Bryon S. Donohoe, Gregg T. Beckham, and
October 26, 2020 Read Full Article
Cellulosic Ethanol: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Clariant Chemtex Approach
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Two world leaders in cellulosic deployment – Jeff Taylor from Chemtex and Paolo Corvo from Clariant – talked about how cellulosic fuels are on the march on last week’s DigestConnect. Check out this exclusive slide
October 26, 2020 Read Full Article
Process Systems Engineering for Biofuels Development
edited by Adrian Bonilla-Petriciolet, Gade Pandu Rangaiah , Christian V. Stevens (Wiley) A comprehensive overview of current developments and applications in biofuels production -- Process Systems Engineering for Biofuels Development brings together the latest and most cutting-edge research on the production of
October 15, 2020 Read Full Article
Bacterial Cellulose Degradation System Could Give Boost to Biofuels Production
(National Institutes of Natural Sciences/Phys.Org) ... When plants are processed into biofuels or other biomass applications, cellulose has to be degraded into simpler sugar molecules first, and this step can represent up to a quarter of the operating and capital costs
October 08, 2020 Read Full Article
New Tech Converts Natural Gas to Hydrogen at Scale Anywhere and Plastic-Eating Enzyme ‘Cocktail’ Heralds Hope for Plastic Waste
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... In today’s Digest, how Florida-based Transform Materials is literally transforming the petrochemical industry’s ability to convert flared natural gas often emitted at hydraulic fracking wellheads into hydrogen and acetylene using microwave plasma technology, and
September 29, 2020 Read Full Article
Fermentation Tech: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Lallemand Biofuels & Distilled Spirits
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) From fermentation ingredients to fermentation technology for fuel alcohol and distilled beverage production, Lallemand Biofuels & Distilled Spirits has an interesting story and even more interesting path ahead. Check out this slide guide from a recent DigestConnect
September 28, 2020 Read Full Article
Novozymes Launches Fibrex Platform for Corn Fiber-to-Ethanol
(Novozymes/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Novozymes today announced the launch of Fiberex, a comprehensive platform based on novel enzymes and yeast strains to convert corn fiber into ethanol. Fiberex is specifically aimed at breaking down tough fibers in the corn, providing producers
September 17, 2020 Read Full Article
Evonik, Avril, POET Collaborations: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to DSM’s Evolution
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... DSM has certainly evolved with the times. Atul Thakrar, President of its Bio-based Products & Services, shared this illuminating presentation at ABLC Digital on their recent collaborations with companies like Evonik on sustainable salmon
September 16, 2020 Read Full Article
Lallemand Launches New Convergence Yeast, Enzyme Platform: Could Save Ethanol Producers $1M/Year in Replacing All External Fermentation Enzymes
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Wisconsin, Lallemand Biofuels & Distilled Spirits has announced a next generation advanced yeast and enzyme platform called Convergence, which combines a new yeast that generates virtually all the glucoamylase (GA) required for fermentation combined with a
September 15, 2020 Read Full Article
Lignocellulosic Platform Goes Beyond Biofuels: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Clariant’s Sunliquid
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Chemicals, catalysis, additives – At ABLC Digital this July, Clariant shared how they are working on advancing biofuels globally and details on their sunliquid technology to decarbonize transportation. A fully integrated and carbon negative process, sunliquid
September 06, 2020 Read Full Article
Hemp Farm in Ohio Shows Possible New Source of Low Cost, Easily Processed Biomass
by Joanne Ivancic* (Advanced Biofuels USA) “They seem to be serious,” said Atlantic Biomass’ Bob Kozak reflecting on a tour of a hemp farm in central Ohio. He noted, “They are going all-in, putting their own money into this—no grants
September 01, 2020 Read Full Article
Making Enzymes Fit for Industrial Applications
(Ruhr University Bochum) Bacterial enzymes are often powerful but also very sensitive catalysts. They therefore need a special environment in order to access their performance. Researchers at RUB have developed new techniques with which bacterial enzymes can be efficiently coupled
August 31, 2020 Read Full Article
Better Business with Biology: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Novozymes’ Enzymes and Microbes
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Novozymes has a solid first-half of 2020, as demonstrated in this just released roadshow presentation highlighting their 4% organic sales growth, esp. due to their household care, food & beverages and agriculture & feed sectors. They also
August 21, 2020 Read Full Article
Enzyme Cocktail Developed in Brazil Powers Production of Second-Generation Ethanol
by Maria Fernanda Ziegler (Agência FAPESP/EurekAlert!) Brazilian researchers used genetic engineering to develop a low-cost platform for the production of enzymes that break down sugarcane trash and bagasse for conversion into biofuel. The novel molecules have many potential industrial applications. Researchers
August 19, 2020 Read Full Article
Earnings Season – 5 Companies Remain Strong in Wild 2020
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
August 17, 2020 Read Full Article
Axens’ Futurol Cellulosic Ethanol Tech: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Overcoming Cellulosic Ethanol Challenges
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Axens has a range of renewable biofuels and biochemicals from renewable diesel and biojet fuel to cellulosic ethanol, ethylene, butadiene, and aromatics. But there have been challenges in the past with cellulosic ethanol that Axens has
July 28, 2020 Read Full Article
Quality Unconcern
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Ethanol producers have sustained adequate production yields in 2020, despite low-quality corn from last year’s harvest. While experts aren't sure why problems haven't arisen, improved enzymes and yeasts have probably helped plants stay
July 21, 2020 Read Full Article
Masters of the Market: High-Protein Technologies
by Lisa Gibson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) High-protein technologies are transforming the ethanol industry’s feed coproduct stream. Success will require more involvement in markets and closer relationships with end users. For those willing to put the time in, the payback could
July 21, 2020 Read Full Article
Discovery Yields Road Map to Oxygenated Hydrocarbon Production
by Mark E. Griffin (Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center) ... Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center scientists are enamored with one particular kind of long chain fatty acid, called furan fatty acid, because it could substitute for petroleum-based products including fuel,
July 20, 2020 Read Full Article
CUHK Scientists Develop a Novel Technology for Generating Biocatalysts for Biodiesel Production
(Asia Today) A research team from the School of Life Sciences at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has developed a novel method for extracting enzymes from bacteria, which lowers the production cost yet improves the enzyme’s stability. It also
June 29, 2020 Read Full Article
DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences Announces New SPEZYME® HN Alpha-Amylase Blend
(DuPont/CISION) SPEZYME® HN offers ethanol producers a new alpha-amylase blend, designed for high performance in harsh liquefaction conditions -- DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences today announced the launch of SPEZYME® HN, the latest in the SPEZYME® line of alpha amylase enzymes and
June 12, 2020 Read Full Article
Minute Molecular Movements Might Lead to More Efficient Biofuel Cells
(Leiden University/Phys.Org) Leiden researchers have found minute movements in the laccase enzyme. This discovery could lead to the development of much more efficient biofuel cells. Publication in Biophysical Journal. READ MORE Chemical exchange at the tri-nuclear copper centre of small laccase from
June 01, 2020 Read Full Article
Q&A on Cellulosic Ethanol with Clariant
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
May 28, 2020 Read Full Article
Positive Results Achieved from NREL's Use of Industry-Relevant Ozone Treatment to Deconstruct Biomass
by Zia Abdullah (U.S. Department of Energy/National Renewable Energy Laboratory) Achieves high sugar yields with low enzyme loadings; Deconstructing Biomass with a Common Pulp and Paper Industry Method -- Ozone treatment (aka "ozonolysis") of lignocellulose pulp is a widely practiced method for
May 26, 2020 Read Full Article
Amid Oil Price Crash, a New Hope for Biofuels
by Tina Casey (Triple Pundit) ... (T)there are reasons to be optimistic about the future of biofuels, as the field continues to evolve remarkably from where it was a decade ago. ... Rather than letting the rest of the plant go to waste, the
May 19, 2020 Read Full Article
Research Brief: Engineering Natural Selection in Microbes Has Implications for Biofuel Production, Addressing Antibiotic Resistance
(University of Minnesota) ... “So many other things change around a gene at the same time, you can’t focus on how a single gene changes,” said Michael Travisano, a professor in the University of Minnesota College of Biological Sciences’ Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior and
May 08, 2020 Read Full Article
Competitive Edge: MetGen
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... (W)e are driven to find renewable alternatives to oil-based products and chemicals. We believe that everything that is made from oil today, can be made of wood tomorrow. To fulfill our purpose, we had to
May 01, 2020 Read Full Article
Advanced Biofuel Reduces Carbon Emissions: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Clariant’s Sunliquid and Lignocellulosic Ethanol
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Clariant takes us on a journey on how carbon emissions can be reduced by advanced biofuels, more specifically, how lignocellulosic ethanol made from agriculture residues like straw, non-food materials, and waste can make an immediate impact,
April 27, 2020 Read Full Article
Earth Day 2020: 4 Green Shoots to Celebrate amongst the Devastation
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
April 22, 2020 Read Full Article
Panda Poo, Ants and Slugs Could Be Key to the Green Fuel of Tomorrow
by Jesper Bruun (Aarhus University) A new research project at Aarhus University will exploit millions of years of evolution to develop sustainable biofuels. Among other things, the solution lies in the digestive system of pandas. -- By imitating natural biological degradation
April 14, 2020 Read Full Article
Carbios Clearing the Bottleneck – Enzymatic Recycling Tech Hits 90% Depolymerization in 10 Hours
by HelenaTavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) ...News arrived from France that Carbios has made quite a leap forward on breaking down and recycling plastic bottles thanks to their enzymatic recycling technology leading the way to recycle plastic bottles not into clothing or carpet,
April 13, 2020 Read Full Article
Pandas, Slugs and Ants Hint at Shortcut to Greener Biofuel
by Thin Lei Win (Thomson Reuters Foundation) ... Scientists believe the animals’ unique ability to break down tough plant material, including bamboo, could provide clues to ramping up production of plant-based biofuels, one substitute for the fossil fuels that drive
March 25, 2020 Read Full Article
Path Finder: Pfleger Lab Uses Bacteria to Convert Biomass into Sustainable Chemicals
by Jason Daley (University of Wisconsin - Madison) ... In addition to transportation fuels, petroleum is refined into hundreds of petrochemicals used in everything from plastics and pharmaceuticals to carpets and fertilizers, and currently there are no easy ways to produce
March 25, 2020 Read Full Article
From Tree to Money Faster and More Efficiently than Ever: Futurity to License MetGen’s Award-Winning METNIN™ Technology for Lignin Valorization
(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
March 11, 2020 Read Full Article
2019 Financials, 2020 Plans: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Novozymes’ Past and Future
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Novozymes just hosted their Annual Shareholders Meeting 2020 and we have an insider look at their presentation. Check out not just their 2019 financials and what they refer to as “A year of change,” and
March 09, 2020 Read Full Article
Biomass Sugars to Hydrocarbon Biofuels: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Enzymatic Hydrolysis Development Efforts
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Reducing cost and improving manufacturability of the biomass sugar platform through Continuous Enzymatic Hydrolysis (CEH) technology is one of the goals for NREL. James D. McMillan from NREL shared the latest research developments at the
February 26, 2020 Read Full Article
1st Commercial-Scale Production of 5-HMF, 1st Hydrogen-Based Residential Area, Largest Fuel Cell System Ever on Major Ship, and More: The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the Week of February 20th
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
February 20, 2020 Read Full Article
Innovation and Strategic Orientations for the Development of Advanced Biorefineries
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. •
February 18, 2020 Read Full Article
Enyzmes and Microbes Innovation: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Novozymes’ Biology Business
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) 20 product launches in one year is impressive and Novozymes is a world leader in biological solutions focusing on enzymes and microbes, but even leaders hit road bumps. While Novozymes had some improvement in the
February 05, 2020 Read Full Article
Living Robots, Fungus Homes, Biobased Aquaculture Ropes, Biopolymer Food Films, and More: The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the Week of January 23rd
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
January 23, 2020 Read Full Article
How to Make It Easier to Turn Plant Waste into Biofuels
by Todd Bates (Rutgers University/Phys.Org) Researchers have developed a new process that could make it much cheaper to produce biofuels such as ethanol from plant waste and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Their approach, featuring an ammonia-salt based solvent that rapidly turns
January 14, 2020 Read Full Article
Cracking the Code of Bacteria: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to MicroByre’s Engineered Bacteria
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) “Working with only E.coli is like feeding dogs grass to make milk,” said Dr. Sarah Richardson during this presentation given at ABLC NEXT in San Francisco. With a background in genomes, she shared insight into
January 07, 2020 Read Full Article
Starting with the End in Mind: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Codexis’s Enzymes and Scalable Proteins
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.
December 16, 2019 Read Full Article
Rare Algae Enzyme to Convert Cooking Oil into Ready-to-Use Biofuel
(Aarhus University/EurekAlert!) Researchers have found an unusual, light-dependent enzyme in microalgae. A new project at the Department of Engineering, Aarhus University, will use the enzyme in a system to produce drop-in fuels from waste oils and fats. A grant of DKK
December 13, 2019 Read Full Article
Automated Microfluidic System Saves the Day for Microbes, Enzymes, Proteins: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Efficient Robotics
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Domo arigato Mr. Roboto – How would you like an automated microfluidic system to help create an ultra-high throughput workstation for the screening and optimization of microbial strains, cell lines, enzymes, proteins and peptides? Efficient Robotics has
December 11, 2019 Read Full Article
Enzymes Bring Biomass Value: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to MetGen’s Enzymes
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Tailored hydrolysis enzymes have many benefits for biomass, especially since it’s a soup of the day and each unique substrate is a combination of feedstock. MetGen has this covered with their production strains and processes that streamline
December 09, 2019 Read Full Article
Biofuels Production and Consumption in Denmark: Status, Advances and Challenges
by Sune Tjalfe Thomsen and Henning Jørgensen (IEA Bioenergy Task 39 Newsletter) 1. Status of transportation biofuel industry in Denmark -- In Denmark, a considerable part of the total energy demand is derived from renewable sources. In 2017, 26% of
December 06, 2019 Read Full Article
New Study Looks to Biological Enzymes as Source of Hydrogen Fuel
by Lois Yoksoulian (University of Illinois News Bureau) Research from the University of Illinois and the University of California, Davis has chemists one step closer to recreating nature’s most efficient machinery for generating hydrogen gas. This new development may help clear
December 03, 2019 Read Full Article
Man-Made Bacteria that EATS Carbon Dioxide and turns it into eco-friendly biofuels could help tackle climate change, scientists claim
by Milly Vincent (Daily Mail) Escherichia coli bacteria have been engineered by scientists to consume CO2; Scientists removed some genes added one for an enzyme that converts CO2; The bacteria feed off carbon dioxide instead of sugar to produce biofuels
November 29, 2019 Read Full Article
Pathway to Fuels: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Bio-Syngas and Fatty Alcohols
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Did you know that Dow and LanzaTechpreviously validated syngas conversion to fatty alcohols via the +1 pathway (LeuABCD) in Clostridium? There is a project underway now to develop a new bio-syngas fermentation process using engineered bacteria
November 29, 2019 Read Full Article
Cemvita Factory Rockin’ It: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Cemvita’s CO2 Utilization
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Earlier this week we talked about making protein and meat out of air, so taking CO2 and utilizing it seems right in line. C+C Music Factory’s song from the early 90’s “Everybody Dance Now” comes to
November 29, 2019 Read Full Article
UCSB Chemical Engineer Looks at Microbes Found in Herbivores’ Guts to Turn Plant Waste into Fuel
by Soe Han Tha (Santa Barbara News Press) Households and businesses typically regard as waste the parts of plants that cannot be consumed, whether that be stems, roots, inedible leaves. What if this waste could be used as fuel or other commodity
November 08, 2019 Read Full Article
MetGen Wins Frost & Sullivan 2019 European Technology Innovation Award
(MetGen) Based on its recent analysis of the European industrial enzymes market, Frost & Sullivan recognizes Finland-based MetGen with the 2019 European Technology Innovation Award for its enzyme technologies, METNIN™ and ENZINE®. METNIN™ enables complete valorization of lignin for use in
October 18, 2019 Read Full Article
US Patent Granted for Enzymes Developed by ICGEB-DBT Bioenergy Group
(International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology) A new cellulase preparation discovered by scientists at ICGEB, New Delhi has received a US patent award. This discovery is likely to provide a better alternative to the available option on the market for
October 04, 2019 Read Full Article
Engineering Thermophiles to Produce Drop-in Fuels from Syngas: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Syngas Bioprocess
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Drop-in fuels from syngas are in. Syngas feedstocks are relatively inexpensive and diverse, thermophiles have several unique advantages, and end products have value as fuel and solvent applications among others. Sounds like win, win, win, right?
October 03, 2019 Read Full Article
Convert CO2 into Raw Materials Using Nanoparticles
(Ruhr University Bochum (Google Translation)) Enzymes use cascade reactions to produce complex molecules from comparatively simple raw materials. The principle was copied by researchers. An international research team has converted carbon dioxide into raw materials using nanoparticles. The scientists at
September 30, 2019 Read Full Article
Making Enzymes More Effective: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Enzyme Engineering
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Enzyme technology enables advanced biofuels. But can we do better? Can enzymes improve conversion? Can understanding enzyme structure, function, activity technology enable industrial enzyme improvement while reducing company R&D cost? Michael Himmel, Senior Research Fellow from NREL’s Biomolecular
September 30, 2019 Read Full Article
Alcohol School: Yancey Delivers D3Max Project Update
by Lisa Gibson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Minimizing feedstock cost is one rule for a successful cellulosic ethanol project, according to Mark Yancey, chief technology officer for D3Max. “That can be a very large component of your project costs.” Yancey spoke Sept. 13
September 19, 2019 Read Full Article
Replacing the Barrel: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Conversion Technologies
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Developing efficient and economical biological and chemical technologies to convert biomass feedstocks into energy-dense liquid transportation fuels, such as renewable gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel, as well as bioproducts, chemical intermediates, and biopower is the primary goal
September 18, 2019 Read Full Article
Enzymes are Proteins: A Definitive Guide of 4000+ Words (Updated) -- Enzymes are Proteins – The Guide Encompasses Introduction, History, Structure, Active Site, Enzyme Action, Functions, Models, Factors, Inhibitors, Classification, Nomenclature
by Hassan Kurd (Botnam) Enzymes are proteins that speed up the reactions by acting as catalysts. They increase the rate of reaction without being consumed or permanently altered by themselves. In Greek enzymes are divided into sections “En” which means “in” and second
September 16, 2019 Read Full Article
Betting on Waste
(EurekAlert!/University of California - Santa Barbara) Most of the materials that maintain our modern lives -- fuels, pharmaceuticals and other commodity chemicals -- come from non-renewable sources. Over time the acquisition of these materials becomes more costly as their supplies diminish.
September 12, 2019 Read Full Article
Lube It up with Sugar: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Lubricants from Cellulosic Sugar
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Petroleum based lubricants are everywhere, but Cargill is working on producing lubricants from cellulosic sugars instead. Utilizing a novel bioprocess that converts lignocellulosic hydrolysate sugars to caprylatemethyl ester, they are laying the foundation for this product
September 12, 2019 Read Full Article
The Advanced Bioeconomy Report Q2 2019 Earnings: The Year of Living Endangeredly
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In hand we now have the latest earnings reports from what you might call the 8 Pathfinders – eight publicly traded stocks whose second quarter results offer insights into the health and performance of the advanced
September 03, 2019 Read Full Article
How’s the Bioeconomy Doing?: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to 9 Bellwether Stocks
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Here’s The Digest’s very own condensed look at 9 bioeconomy companies –Amyris, Aemetis, Codexis, Gevo, Green Plains, Neste, Novozymes, Pacific Ethanol and Renewable Energy Group, in their own words and images. From their latest projects, expansions, accomplishments,
August 27, 2019 Read Full Article
From Lignin to Value: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to MetGen’s Enzymes
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) MetGen are pioneers in industrial enzymes for lignocellulosic biomass and are trying to empower industries to get the most out of biomass with their enzymatic technologies. Alex Michine, CEO of MetGen gave this enlightening overview of MetGen’s
August 22, 2019 Read Full Article
Promising New Solar-Powered Path to Hydrogen Fuel Production
(Lehigh News) A team at Lehigh is the first to use a single enzyme biomineralization process to create a solar-driven water splitting catalyst that produces hydrogen with the potential to be manufactured sustainably, cheaply and abundantly. -- Engineers at Lehigh University
August 14, 2019 Read Full Article
New Energy Blue Buys Inbicon’s Low-Carbon Fuel Technology
(Oil and Gas 360/New Energy Blue) NewEnergyBlue acquired exclusive rights to Inbicon bio-conversion technology throughout the Americas and will first employ it to turn North Dakota wheat straw into a high-value, carbon-neutral automotive fuel. The technology license was purchased from Ørsted, a Danish
August 13, 2019 Read Full Article
U.S. Ag Volatility Affects Novozymes: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Novozyme’s First Half of 2019
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Novozymes is a leader in biological solutions focusing on enzymes and microbes. The company just released their report on the first half of 2019 that showed while there was a second quarter improvement, overall the entire first
August 12, 2019 Read Full Article
How Nature Builds Hydrogen-Producing Enzymes
(Ruhr University Bochum) The heart of the biological catalyst is introduced in the last step. The process is complex. A team from the Ruhr University Bochum and the University of Oxford has found out how hydrogen-producing enzymes, the so-called hydrogenases, are activated
July 29, 2019 Read Full Article
Here Comes the Sun – Sunliquid Tech: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Clariant
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Clariant, a Switzerland based specialty chemicals company, has four business areas: Care Chemicals, Natural Resources, Catalysis and Plastics & Coatings. While the first half of the year has been challenging, Clariant was able to increase sales
July 29, 2019 Read Full Article
Biofuels Can Help Reduce Current Account Deficit
by Syed Akhtar Ali (The Express Tribune) Pakistan’s current account deficit has created many problems for the economy. Major imports are of the oil sector. There is a misplaced notion that nothing can be done for reducing these imports. Biofuels based on
July 11, 2019 Read Full Article
These Nano-Bugs Eat CO2 and Make Eco-Friendly Fuel
by Trent Knoss (University of Colorado Boulder) CU Boulder researchers have developed nanobio-hybrid organisms capable of using airborne carbon dioxide and nitrogen to produce a variety of plastics and fuels, a promising first step toward low-cost carbon sequestration and eco-friendly manufacturing
July 03, 2019 Read Full Article
Modified Enzyme Can Increase Second-Generation Ethanol Production
by Elton Alisson (FAPESP/Phys.Org) A group of researchers at the University of Campinas (UNICAMP), working in partnership with colleagues at the Brazilian Biorenewables National Laboratory (LNBR) in Campinas, São Paulo State, Brazil, have discovered that Trichoderma harzianum, a fungus found in the
June 19, 2019 Read Full Article
Biomanufacturing 2.0 Cell-Free: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Invizyne Technologies
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Invizyne Technologies is making chemicals the cell-free way using synthetic biology and metabolic engineering. By inputting sugar and using engineered microbes, they can result in useful compounds and commodity chemicals, biofuels, fuel additives, fragrances, and pharmaceuticals. James
June 13, 2019 Read Full Article
Demise of the Diva: The New Organisms Are Workhorses Not Show Ponies, but They Do the Most Amazing Tricks.
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... What we would like to train our focus on is two-fold, the advances in systems biology — elsewhere, you’ve heard it described as synthetic biology, but it’s really all a part of systems biology, which
June 13, 2019 Read Full Article
It’s a Yeast Feast, Enzyme Showtime: The Majors Break through with New Cost-Busting Solutions for Ethanol Production
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Three big product announcements just in… DSM (e) breaks through on yield, efficiency with new yeast, enzyme offerings for corn fiber conversion. Novozymes launches breakthrough techs “Fortiva” and “Innova Force”. Dupont extends with corn oil extraction tech. In
June 11, 2019 Read Full Article
Biodiesel Containing Malaysian Palm Oil to Be Tested on Chinese Vehicle
by Beh Yuen Hui (The Star) Some 180 sanitary trucks will use biodiesel containing Malaysian palm oil in a pilot project to test its feasibility on Chinese vehicles. The programme will be carried out by Tsinghua University in collaboration with Beijing TUS-Deqing Bioenergy
June 04, 2019 Read Full Article
Rethinking Tomorrow and New Product Launches: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Novozymes
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Digest’s new “Stocks Worth Tracking” Multi-Slide Guide Series highlights hot companies that are making strides in the bioeconomy. Today’s “Stock Worth Tracking” is Novozymes. Novozymes has had 17 years of innovation driven growth with a
May 29, 2019 Read Full Article
EERE’s SBIR Selects Bioenergy Phase I Innovation Projects
(U.S. Department of Energy) American small businesses got nearly a $22 million boost from the Energy Department’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. Small businesses are receiving Phase I Release 2 grants (from
May 28, 2019 Read Full Article
Project LIBERTY: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to POET
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) POET has been turning one big idea after another into biofuel and renewable alternative product solutions for thirty years. They have grown from a single, humble refinery in Scotland, South Dakota, to one of the world’s
May 24, 2019 Read Full Article
Innovative Foundation in Iowa
by Debi Durham (Iowa Economic Development Authority) ... Iowa is home to three public universities – the University of Iowa, Iowa State University (ISU) and the University of Northern Iowa – that are world-renowned for dynamic research capabilities in plant, animal
May 21, 2019 Read Full Article
Bioprivileged Molecules: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Northwestern University
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Northwestern University has been conducting research on the identification of bioprivileged molecules using computational approaches at their Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering. Linda J. Broadbelt from Northwestern University, gave this illuminating overview of novel pathways to propionic acid,
May 16, 2019 Read Full Article
Indian Perspective on Bioenergy: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to IndianOil Corp.
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) IndianOil has a 33,000-plus work-force, extensive refining, distribution & marketing infrastructure and advanced R&D facilities. In the country’s pursuit of alternative sources of energy, IndianOil is focusing on CNG (compressed natural gas), Autogas (LPG), ethanol blended
May 15, 2019 Read Full Article
Biomethane Business Is Booming – From Waste to Watts and Wonder Chemicals
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) ... First, let’s make sure we aren’t confusing biogas with biomethane. Biogas is mostly methane and carbon dioxide but that doesn’t mean it’s biomethane. You see, biogas is produced from organic matter breaking down in the absence
May 14, 2019 Read Full Article
BP, Nouryon, and Port of Rotterdam Explore Green Hydrogen via Water Electrolysis
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) From the Netherlands arrives the news that BP, Nouryon (formerly AkzoNobel Specialty Chemicals), and the Port of Rotterdam have joined forces to explore the opportunity of making ‘green hydrogen’ via water electrolysis for BP’s refinery in
May 10, 2019 Read Full Article
Paper Sludge to Biogas, 3D Printed House, Cocoa Bean Waste-to-Fuel, Vegan Silk Biopolymers, Biobased Adhesives, and More: The Digest's Top 10 Innovations for the Week of May 8th
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The pace of bioeconomy invention and change continues at a frenetic pace. Here are the top innovations for the week of May 8th. In today’s Digest, paper sludge to biogas, 3D printed house, cocoa bean waste-to-fuel, vegan
May 08, 2019 Read Full Article
Bacteria Turn Agri Waste to Biofuel, First-of-Its-Kind Research
by Himanshu Nitnaware (Pune Mirror) ... The researchers worked to find an alternative to fossil fuels through biodegradation of agricultural waste such as wheat straw, and sugarcane bagasse as substrates. The biodegradation was brought about by busing cellulose-degrading bacteria and their enzymes for sustainable
May 01, 2019 Read Full Article
This Biotech Turns Paper Waste into Biogas Using Enzymes
(LABIOTECH) In sunny Turkey, the company Episome Biotech is developing a fermentation technique that digests paper waste and turns it into useful products such as biogas, biofuel, and fertilizer. -- Mission: To transform paper waste from garbage into a metaphorical gold mine.
April 30, 2019 Read Full Article
All About the Enzymes: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to METGEN
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) METGEN designs and markets novel enzymatic solutions for challenging and large industry sectors to meet specific customer needs. MetGen’s enzymes – MetZyme – are industrial, highly-active, natural catalysts that accelerate chemical reactions. They can survive in
April 25, 2019 Read Full Article
Tech Taiwan Makes Advance in Biofuel Production Technique
by Yu Hsiao-han and Chung Yu-chen (Focus Taiwan News Channel) Academia Sinica Thursday unveiled a technique that facilitates the production of more biofuel using cryo-electron microscopy, a technology that enables researchers to better capture the structure of enzymes -- biological
April 24, 2019 Read Full Article
CENER is Developing Technology for Future Urban Biorefineries, to Move towards a Circular Bioeconomy
(Bio-based News) CENER is involved in 4 specific initiatives, in order to develop the most adequate management and valorization routes of different urban biowastes -- The Biomass Department of CENER (National Renewable Energy Centre of Spain) is convinced of the need to
April 17, 2019 Read Full Article
BioAg of the Future: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Novozymes BioAg
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Novozymes is the world leader in biological solutions focusing on enzymes and microbes. Since 2000, they have brought more than 100 new molecules to market to address specific industry and customer challenges. We account for 2/3
April 16, 2019 Read Full Article
Technology Turns Municipal Wastewater Algae into Specialty Chemicals for Biofuels, Bioplastics
(Purdue University/Phys.org) Gen3Bio has designed mobile 15-gallon enzymolysis pilot plants to be placed in wastewater treatment facilities to transform algae into specialty bio-based chemicals, such as biofuels or bioplastics. -- A startup is advancing a unique way to transform algae used
April 08, 2019 Read Full Article
Ingredients and Innovations: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Corbion
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Corbion is a global market leader in lactic acid, lactic acid derivatives, and a leading company in emulsifiers, functional enzyme blends, minerals, vitamins and algae ingredients. In 2018, Corbion generated annual sales of € 897.2 million
March 25, 2019 Read Full Article
Learnings from the Earnings – Who’s Up? Who’s Down?
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) The lucky 13 – with spring comes a sense of renewal and this season these lucky 13 bioeconomy bellwethers recently shared their 2018 and Q4 earnings to reveal uncertainties with trade wars, especially between the
March 25, 2019 Read Full Article
This Beetle’s Gut May Hide Clues to Making Better Biofuels
(Berkeley News) The passalid beetle’s unique gut architecture helps it transform decaying wood into energy-rich materials. -- Decaying wood doesn’t make the most nutritious food, but the long-horned passalid beetle has evolved to make the best of it. The guts of
March 13, 2019 Read Full Article
French Company: We Can Infinitely Recycle PET Plastics Using Enzymes
by Jeff Kart (Forbes) A French company called Carbios has announced a process it says can infinitely recycle PET plastics using enzymes, even creating clear bottles from colored, post-consumer ones. The enzyme solution is said to be superior to current thermo-mechanical recycling processes. Those processes can't be
March 11, 2019 Read Full Article
Clover Improves Soil Quality, Feeds Biofuels Crop
by Christie Delfanian (South Dakota State University/Phys.Org) A four-leaf clover might bring good luck, but a stand of Kura clover can produce healthier soil—in the long run, according to a South Dakota State University study. Planting Kura clover, a pasture legume, with prairie
March 01, 2019 Read Full Article
Lighting the Way to Bioproducts: Smart Microbial Biosensors for Conversion Pathway Design
by Babetta (Babs) Marrone (Los Alamos National Laboratory) For several years, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) scientists have been taking advantage of the molecular tools that naturally reside within microbial cells. Although microbes use these tools to carry out their metabolism and
February 28, 2019 Read Full Article
10-Slide Guide to the US Ethanol Industry
by Douglas B. Rivers (Biofuels Digest/Lee Enterprises, Inc.) Past, Present and Future Douglas B. Rivers, PhD, from Sunflwr Consulting and a member of Lee Enterprises Consulting, offers this illuminating overview of the U.S. ethanol industry’s history, current technologies, new developments
February 26, 2019 Read Full Article
‘The Right Effect’: Yeast Can Be Genetically Modified through Multiple Techniques
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Yeast can be genetically modified through multiple techniques, all offering advancements for the ethanol industry. -- Genetically modified (GM) yeasts have found their place in the ethanol industry with more than half of producers routinely using
February 26, 2019 Read Full Article
Consumer Values Drive Demand for the Bioeconomy Specialty Chemicals
by Bogdan Comanita (Lee Enterprises/MarketChemica Inc./Biofuels Digest) VIRIDISOL®, ecoXTRACT® and GreenFlame® are examples of B2B brands launched in 2018 that support the use of new biobased products in large B2C markets. All these B2B brands are in perfect alignment with powerful B2C
February 06, 2019 Read Full Article
ExxonMobil and Renewable Energy Group Partner with Clariant to Advance Cellulosic Biofuel Research
(ExxonMobil/Renewable Energy Group/Globe Newswire) Partnership to expand on joint ExxonMobil and REG research into cellulosic biodiesel; Clariant’s sunliquid® technology to facilitate creation of compatible cellulosic sugars; Objective is to combine technologies into a single, integrated biodiesel production process ExxonMobil and Renewable Energy Group (REG)
January 23, 2019 Read Full Article
Cellulosic Ethanol and DDGS: The Digest’s Multi-Slide Guide to D3MAX
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) D3MAX is a corn fiber-to-ethanol technology provider. Mark Yancey, D3MAX’s CTO, gave this illuminating overview of the technology and process behind the cellulosic ethanol and high protein DDGS from corn kernel fiber with D3MAX at ABLC Global
January 10, 2019 Read Full Article
Don’t Mess with My Toot Toot: The Zydeco of Xyleco
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... This week on 60 Minutes, another unlikely character burst onto the national scene, courtesy of one of the lightest technologies profiles ever investigated on 60 Minutes by the otherwise redoubtable Lesley Stahl, who offered up the story
January 10, 2019 Read Full Article
The Unlikely, Eccentric Inventor Turning Inedible Plant Life into Fuel
by Lesley Stahl (60 Minutes/CBS News) Marshall Medoff unveils to 60 Minutes his innovative method of turning plant life into fuel and other useful products -- ... What (Craig)Masterman helped implement was Medoff's novel idea of using these large blue machines called
January 07, 2019 Read Full Article
Biodiesel’s Cutting Edge
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) Biodiesel Magazine profiles nine companies whose process technologies, products and services are on the frontline of change in this industry. Third Coast Commodities Biodiesel feedstock trading is evolving, and Third Coast Commodities is one of the firms ushering
January 04, 2019 Read Full Article
They Develop Biosensors to Optimize Biodiesel Production
(Uniradio Informa/Notimex (Google Translation)) They develop biosensors to optimize biodiesel production -- The Institute of Engineering of the Autonomous University of Baja California (UABC) developed biosensors in this border city, with the aim of optimizing the biodisel production process. The UABC researcher, Margarita
January 02, 2019 Read Full Article
Rebecca Smith Brings Enthusiasm, Ingenuity to Bear on Tough Lignin
by Max Witynski (Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center) Rebecca Smith has loved plants for a long time. In fact, her interest stems from an AP biology class in high school. “Something about the enormous variation and complexity in the plant kingdom sparked my
December 27, 2018 Read Full Article
Investors Turn Kenya’s Troublesome Invasive Water Hyacinth into Cheap Fuel
by Benson Rioba (Inter Press Service) Water hyacinth is a weed and if not controlled on Lake Victoria, experts are concerned that the lake’s water levels might drop by 60 percent. -- Currently 30 square kilometres of Lake Victoria, which stretches to
December 21, 2018 Read Full Article
Who’s Up, Down, Top, Charmed and Strange in the Bioeconomy: Learnings from the Earnings, as Four Bellwether Stocks Report
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... So, let’s look at Q3 earnings statements now just coming out from four of the sector’s signature companies in light-duty and heavy-duty fuels, enzymes, and nutrition and wellness. Namely, Aemetis, Novozymes, Renewable Energy Group and
December 18, 2018 Read Full Article
The FORBIO Project: A Sustainable Alternative for Contaminated and Underutilized Lands
(Global Bioenergy Partnership) The FORBIO (Fostering Sustainable Feedstock Production for Advanced Biofuels on underutilized land in Europe) Project gave stakeholders in Italy, Germany and Ukraine a strategy for the market uptake of sustainable advanced bioenergy value chains. Through a thorough assessment
December 15, 2018 Read Full Article
Biobased Beer Can Rings, Algae and Bugs, Chitin-Based Plastic Breakthrough, Gribble Gut Enzymes, Banana-Based Products: The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the week of December 14th
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The pace of bioeconomy invention and change continues at a frenetic pace. Here are the top innovations for the week of December 14th. In today’s Digest, biobased beer can rings, algae and bugs, chitin-based plastic breakthrough, gribble
December 14, 2018 Read Full Article
Zymergen, the Porsche 911 of the Materials Superhighway, Raises $400M in Monumental Series C Round
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... In California, Zymergen has raised over $400 million in Series C funding led by returning investor SoftBank Vision Fund. The round welcomes new investors Goldman Sachs and Hanwha Asset Management, as well as returning
December 13, 2018 Read Full Article
Commercializing 2nd-Gen Biofuels: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide ABLC Guide to Axens
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Following the acquisition of Heurtey Petrochem and the integration of 50% of Eurecat, Axens Group now provides a complete range of solutions including: technologies, equipment, furnaces, modular units, catalysts, adsorbents and services for the conversion of
December 05, 2018 Read Full Article
To Fulfill Biofuels’ Promise, Scientists Boost Plant Oils with Gene Editing
by Cici Zhang (Chemical and Engineering News) Increasing the fatty acids in crops’ seeds, leaves, and stems could make biofuels more economically viable -- ... Plant scientist Heike Sederoff of North Carolina State University, however, is very familiar with the oils
December 05, 2018 Read Full Article
Which Way to Take Protons Findings Pave the Way for Chemical Replication of Hydrogen-Producing Enzymes.
(Ruhr-Universität Bochum) How exactly certain algae enzymes produce hydrogen has previously been the subject of speculation. Dr. Martin Winkler, dr. Jifu Duan, Prof. dr. Eckhard Hofmann and Prof. Dr. med. Thomas Happe from the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB), together with colleagues from Freie Universität Berlin, succeeded for
November 26, 2018 Read Full Article
Biofuel Cell Can Match the Performance of Platinum
(The Engineer) Researchers in Germany have developed an enzyme-based biofuel cell that can match the performances of fuel cells made using platinum. -- Described in Nature Communications, the biofuel cell uses the enzyme hydrogenase as a catalyst in place of the precious metal.
November 15, 2018 Read Full Article
The 40 Hottest Technologies in the Advanced Bioeconomy 2018
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In California, Impossible Foods took the #1 spot in the 2018 “40 Hottest Technologies in the Advanced Bioeconomy” rankings, published today in The Digest, the world’s most widely-read bioeconomy daily. The announcement was made live at
November 09, 2018 Read Full Article
Consultative Expansion
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) Biodiesel Magazine spotlights a producer whose recent acquisition fulfills increased feedstock demand, a consulting firm that assists in market entry and production efficiencies, and the expansion of one of today's fastest-growing biodiesel refiners. -- BioJoe Renwick, founder
November 06, 2018 Read Full Article
Enzyme Ancestors Resurrected to Boost Thermal Stability
by Emma Stoye (Chemistry World) Scientists constructing enzyme library make serendipitous discovery -- Researchers have made more active, heat tolerant versions of two potentially useful enzymes by reconstructing the forms thought to exist in the ancestor to all modern vertebrates 450 million
October 29, 2018 Read Full Article
DE-FOA-0001951: Request for Inforamtion (RFI): Understanding Catalyst Production and Development Needs at National Laboratories DEADLINE: October 22, 2018
(U.S. Department of Energy) The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) is requesting input from industry (including but not limited to contract research organizations, contract manufacturing organizations, catalyst manufacturers,
October 05, 2018 Read Full Article
A Protective Shield for Sensitive Enzymes in Biofuel Cells
(Ruhr-Universitaet-Bochum/Phys.Org) An international team of researchers has developed a new mechanism to protect enzymes from oxygen as biocatalysts in fuel cells. The enzymes, known as hydrogenases, are just as efficient as precious metal catalysts, but unstable when they come into contact
September 17, 2018 Read Full Article
Groundbreaking for Clariant's Sunliquid® Cellulosic Ethanol Plant in Romania
(Clariant) Investment represents biggest industrial commitment by an international corporation in the region of Craiova; Location chosen for combination of feedstock supply and infrastructure; Annual production capacity of 50 000 tons of cellulosic ethanol -- Muttenz, September 12, 2018 – Clariant, a world
September 13, 2018 Read Full Article
Proteins and Synthetic Biology: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to Codexis
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Codexis is a leading protein engineering company that applies its technology to the development of biocatalysts for the commercial manufacture of pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals. Codexis’ proven technology enables implementation of biocatalytic solutions to meet customer
September 05, 2018 Read Full Article
U of A Biologist Receives Grant to Improve Biofuel Production
(University of Arkansas) A University of Arkansas biologist is developing methods that could make the production of biofuel — ethanol and diesel made from sources such as plant material — more efficient and environmentally sound. Ruben Michael Ceballos will use a
September 03, 2018 Read Full Article
Enzyme Discovery Could Boost Biofuel Production
(European Commission) EU-funded researchers have discovered a new family of enzymes able to break down wood into its chemical components. The findings may lead to more efficient production of biofuels and other valuable chemicals derived from biomass. -- Wood is regarded as
August 28, 2018 Read Full Article
Scientists Identify Enzyme That Could Help Accelerate Biofuel Production
(R&D Magazine/Tokyo Institute of Technology) Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology have honed in on an enzyme belonging to the glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (GPAT) family as a promising target for increasing biofuel production from the red alga Cyanidioschyzon merolae. Algae are known to store
August 24, 2018 Read Full Article
Strategic Progress: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to Novozymes
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Novozymes is a world leader in biological solutions. Together with customers, partners and the global community, the company supplies innovations to the world’s leading companies across 40 markets. Best known for industrial enzymes, the company is
August 13, 2018 Read Full Article
Cannabis, Canola, Solids, Hog Fuel, Wheat: What’s New with Food and Feedstocks?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) We eat it, we wear it, we burn it, we glue it, we live in it and more. Feedstock that is — crops and residues of the municipal, industrial, agricultural and forest type. We’ve been reporting
August 08, 2018 Read Full Article
Lessons on the Road to GoBig: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to POET-DSM Cellulosic Ethanol
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In November we reported that POET-DSM Advanced Biofuels achieved a major breakthrough in cellulosic biofuels production at its Project LIBERTY plant in Emmetsburg, Iowa. The company has solved the critical challenge in pretreatment, overcoming what has been
August 07, 2018 Read Full Article
Carbon Capture, Solar Fuels, Fossil Bubble
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Spain, BIOCON-CO2, a new €7 million EU Horizon 2020-funded research project, has recently kicked-off with intentions of supporting EU leadership in carbon dioxide (CO2) re-use technologies. BIOCON-CO2 aims to re-use excess CO2 produced from the iron, steel,
August 01, 2018 Read Full Article
2G Ethanol Overcoming Tech Glitches, Competitive with Oil at $70
by Marcelo Teixeira (Reuters) Second-generation ethanol production is overcoming the technical difficulties that had slowed its development and is now seen as commercially competitive with oil prices near $70 per barrel, industry representatives said on Thursday. As countries worldwide prepare to deliver
July 31, 2018 Read Full Article
The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the Week of July 27th
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The pace of invention and change is just too strong, we’ve realized, to highlight annual or even quarterly or monthly rankings and summaries of significant product and service advances. For now, we’re going to be tracking
July 28, 2018 Read Full Article
Former DuPont Employee Pleads Guilty to Stealing Trade Secrets and Lying to the FBI
(U.S. Department of Justice) Took Trade Secrets and Proprietary Information When He Accepted a Job with a Competitor -- Josh Harry Isler, age 55, from St. Ansgar, Iowa, pled guilty today in United States District Court in Cedar Rapids to one count
July 12, 2018 Read Full Article
NREL: Novel Genetic Method Improves Efficiency of Enzyme
(National Renewable Energy Laboratory/Biomass Magazine) Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the University of Georgia developed a new genetic engineering technique to dramatically improve an enzyme’s ability to break down biomass. The new method, Evolution by
July 11, 2018 Read Full Article
The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the Week of July 11th
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The pace of invention and change is just too strong, we’ve realized, to highlight annual or even quarterly or monthly rankings and summaries of significant product and service advances. For now, we’re going to be tracking
July 11, 2018 Read Full Article
Industrial Enzymes Markets (2013-2020) - 2018 Global Strategic Business Report - Surging Demand for Biofuel Enzymes Drive Healthy Market Growth
(ResearchAndMarkets.com/Globe Newswire) The "Industrial Enzymes - Global Strategic Business Report" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The report provides separate comprehensive analytics for the US, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East, and Latin America. Annual estimates and forecasts are provided for the period 2013 through
July 09, 2018 Read Full Article
New ‘Promiscuous’ Enzyme Helps Turn Plant Waste into Sustainable Products
(University of Portsmouth) A new family of enzymes has been discovered which paves the way to convert plant waste into sustainable and high-value products such as nylon, plastics, chemicals, and fuels. The discovery was led by members of the same UK-US enzyme
July 03, 2018 Read Full Article
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