by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Everyone wants to dominate the world, right? But Neste wants to do it in a nice way by becoming the global leader in renewable and circular solutions. There are 3 ways they are working on this
recycled plastics
Back TO HOMEScientists Develop New Chemicals Process to Recycle Bioplastics
(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,
June 04, 2020 Read Full Article
Biofuels Production and Consumption in Germany: Status, Advances and Challenges
by Franziska Müller-Langer, Nicolaus Dahmen and Gabriel Costa de Paiva (Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum/Karlsruhe Institute of Technology/IEA Bioenergy) ... This feature article summarizes the current status of transport sector biofuels in Germany including major policy drivers, decarbonization strategies and initiatives as well
May 29, 2020 Read Full Article
European Commission Unveils €750bn Post-Covid Recovery Plan with Green Transition Initiatives
by Liz Gyekye (BioMarket Insights) “Investing in a more circular economy has the potential to create at least 700,000 new jobs by 2030 and help the EU to reduce its dependency on external suppliers and increase its resilience to global supply
May 28, 2020 Read Full Article
World’s Biggest Green H2 Production Plant Will Fuel Stations in California
(SGH2/NGV Journal) The global energy company SGH2 is bringing the world’s largest green hydrogen production facility to Lancaster, California. The plant will feature SGH2’s pioneering technology, which uses recycled mixed paper waste to produce “greener than green” hydrogen that reduces carbon
May 27, 2020 Read Full Article
BBI JU Launches 22 Projects to Support Green Recovery of Europe
(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
May 27, 2020 Read Full Article
Scrap to Wrap, a New App? NOVA, Enerkem Set Sights on Garbage-to-Ethylene, and How, and Why
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) From Canada comes news that NOVA Chemicals and Enerkem entered into a joint development agreement to explore turning non-recyclable and non-compostable municipal waste into ethylene, a basic building block of plastics. NOVA Chemicals has committed to enabling
May 21, 2020 Read Full Article
Biogas-To-RNG Project Developer Is Ready To Move The Needle
by Nora Goldstein (BioCycle) BioCycle interviewed Bob Powell, founder and CEO of Brightmark, about his company’s growth trajectory in the anaerobic digestion and RNG space. -- In August 2016, Bob Powell founded Brightmark Energy “to think about environmental problems that were
May 20, 2020 Read Full Article
Solve Invasive Seaweed Problem by Turning It into Biofuels and Fertilisers
(University of Bath/Phys.Org) UK researchers have developed a cheap and simple way of creating biofuel and fertiliser from seaweed, whilst removing plastic from the oceans and cleaning up tourist beaches in the Caribbean and Central America. Millions of tonnes of rotting seaweed
May 13, 2020 Read Full Article
European Bioeconomy Alliance Position on the EU Green Deal
(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),
May 12, 2020 Read Full Article
Recycling Technologies’ First Site in Europe Will Be Located at the Brightlands Chemelot Campus in the Netherlands
(Recycling Technologies) Recycling Technologies Ltd (‘Recycling Technologies’), a specialist plastic recycling technology provider and Brightlands Chemelot Campus, an innovation, research and technological growth hub announce today they have signed the first agreement towards the installation of Recycling Technologies’ first European plastic
April 24, 2020 Read Full Article
15 Newest Projects – Who’s Got What Underway?
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
April 16, 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
VTT to Assess Bio- and Waste-Based Oils Suitable for Power Plants and Ships
(VTT) In a three-year Business Finland BioFlex project, VTT and partners are exploring how suitable fuel oils made from biomass and waste plastics are for power plants and ship diesel engines. The aim is to determine the most ecologically and
April 09, 2020 Read Full Article
Plastics Industry Oversold Recycling to Americans, Now What?
by Zoey Shipley and Miro Korenha (Our Daily Planet) NPR and PBS Frontline recently announced a new joint investigation which has revealed that since the 1980s, “the plastics industry spent tens of millions of dollars promoting recycling through ads, recycling projects, and public relations, telling people
April 01, 2020 Read Full Article
Plastic-Eating Bacteria Could Be Small Step toward Tackling World's Pollution Crisis
by Scottie Andrew (CNN) ... Now scientists discovered a strain of bacteria, the first of its kind, that can degrade the harmful compounds in polyurethane products -- a positive step toward reducing the amount of plastic pollution in the environment. The findings were published
March 31, 2020 Read Full Article
Cielo Solicits Waste Feedstock for Nova Scotia Renewable Fuel Facility and Provides Operations Update
(Cielo) Cielo Waste Solutions Corp. (CSE:CMC)(OTCQB:CWSFF) (“Cielo” or the “Company”) announces that Renewable U Halifax Inc. and the Company are actively seeking sources of waste feedstock for the planned Joint Venture Renewable Fuel Facility (“Facility”) that will be located in, or
March 23, 2020 Read Full Article
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Reform: Addressing America's Plastic Waste Crisis
( Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce) The Subcommittee heard testimony about recycling and waste management in the United States, including its impacts on climate and the environment. Memorandum from Chairman Pallone to the
March 17, 2020 Read Full Article
Department of Energy Announces $25 Million for Plastics Recycling R&D, Launches Upcycling Consortium
(U.S. Department of Energy) Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced up to $25 million in funding for plastics recycling research and development (R&D). The funding opportunity announcement (FOA) is part of the Department’s Plastics Innovation Challenge, a comprehensive
March 16, 2020 Read Full Article
Neste and Mirova Back Recycling Technologies to Accelerate Transition to Circular Economy for Plastic
(Recycling Technologies) Neste, the world’s leading provider of renewable diesel, renewable jet fuel, and an expert in delivering drop-in renewable chemical solutions, and Mirova, a pioneer impact investor in the natural capital space and an affiliate of Natixis Investment Managers, today
March 10, 2020 Read Full Article
A Decade of Progress in California? Not for Its Recycling Rate
by Jim Stewart (Bioenergy Producers Association/Renewable Energy Project Development and Finance/Biofuels Digest) The volume of post-recycled municipal solid waste (MSW) being placed in California’s landfills has been steadily climbing for the past decade, during which time the state’s legislature, with its
March 03, 2020 Read Full Article
Japanese Consortium to Study SAF Production Using Fulcrum Bioenergy’s Technology
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Japan, Japan Airlines, Marubeni, JXTG Nippon Oil and Energy and JGC Japan have agreed to jointly conduct a feasibility study on Sustainable Aviation Fuel production and sales in Japan through the use of industrial and
March 03, 2020 Read Full Article
Vow ASA Enters Plastic to Fuel Deal with Test Plant in the Oil Refining and Petrochemical Industry
(Vow ASA/Globe Newswire) Vow ASA, through its subsidiary ETIA, has been awarded a contract to provide a pyrolysis testing unit for processing of waste plastics and polymers for Unipetrol in the Czech Republic. Unipetrol is a part of PKN ORLEN
February 27, 2020 Read Full Article
From Wind Power to Cow Manure: Oil Traders Seek New Profit Recipe
by Julia Payne (Reuters) The world’s largest oil traders are pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into climate-friendly projects - including wind farms, cow manure plants and blue hydrogen - as they seek to match the profits they make from
February 19, 2020 Read Full Article
Circular Solution for Bioplastics, McDonald’s Fryer Oil to 3D Printing Resin, Human Hair to Fertilizer, Crab Shells and Seaweed to Yarn, and More: The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the Week of February 6th
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.
February 06, 2020 Read Full Article
Could Bacteria Help Recycle Greenhouse Gases in the Future?
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
February 04, 2020 Read Full Article
The Versatile Ethanol Molecule: Ethylene, with a Similar Molecular Structure to that of Ethanol, Has Enormous Market Opportunity around the World.
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Knock a water molecule off ethanol and you’ll get ethylene, C2H4—the most widely produced organic chemical globally that is the basis for scores of other chemicals and hundreds (maybe thousands) of products, from
January 30, 2020 Read Full Article
How Plastic Can Fit in a Circular Carbon Economy: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Recycling and Upcycling Plastics
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) We’ve seen the staggering numbers, 78 million tons of annual plastics production, 98% virgin feedstock, and only 14% gets collected for recycling. So what do we do about it? Jay Fitzgerald from the Bioenergy technologies
January 24, 2020 Read Full Article
Shell Uses Plastic Waste to Produce Resin Feedstocks
by Stephen Moore (Plastics Today) Shell says that it has successfully made “high-end” chemicals using a liquid feedstock made from plastic waste using a pyrolysis process that is considered a breakthrough for hard-to-recycle plastics. The initiative advances Shell’s ambition to use
January 23, 2020 Read Full Article
EERE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable E : Department of Energy Announces nearly $100 Million for Bioenergy Research and Development DEADLINE Concept PaperMarch 5, 2020
(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
January 23, 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
Waste2Tricity Awarded Grant for Pioneering Waste Plastic to Hydrogen Technology
(Power House Energy Group) Waste2Tricity, the UK technology company developing pioneering hydrogen production from waste plastic, has been offered a conditional £1.25m grant for its planned Plastics to Hydrogen Facility at Protos, near Ellesmere Port. The grant award follows a successful
January 16, 2020 Read Full Article
Cielo signs MOU with Renewable U Halifax to Build Renewable Diesel Refinery
(Canadian Biomass Magazine/Cielo) Cielo Waste Solutions Corp. has announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Renewable U Halifax Inc. to build, at an estimated cost of $50 million, a renewable diesel refinery in, or within 150 kilometres of Halifax, N.S. Renewable U
January 13, 2020 Read Full Article
Licella and BioLogiQ Join Forces to Accelerate Commercialisation of Cat-HTR™ Technology in Australia
(Licella) Licella and BioLogiQ join forces to accelerate commercialisation of Cat-HTR™ technology in Australia, to chemically recycle post-consumption plastic that would otherwise not be recycled. -- Australia consumes 3.4 million tonnes of plastic each year, of which only 9% is recycled1.
January 09, 2020 Read Full Article
The Digest’s 10 Top Advanced Bioeconomy Markets & Predictions for 2020
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
January 02, 2020 Read Full Article
Converting Waste to Synthetic Crude Oil: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Licella’s Thermochemical Tech
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Licella is transforming plastic and biomass waste into high value sustainable resources. Their Cat-HTR platform uses water at high temperature and pressure to transform wastes and residues to synthetic crude oil, chemically equivalent to fossil
January 02, 2020 Read Full Article
Biobased Barbies, Pineapple Waste Paper, 3D Printed Fruit, Super Bowl’s Fiber Food Packaging, and More: The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the Week of December 25th
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
December 26, 2019 Read Full Article
Scientists Convert Plastics into Useful Chemicals Using Sunlight
(Nanyang Technological University/Science Daily) ... Chemists at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) have discovered a method that could turn plastic waste into valuable chemicals by using sunlight. In lab experiments, the research team mixed plastics with their catalyst in a
December 18, 2019 Read Full Article
Conversion Technologies: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to BETO’s Carbon-Based Fuels and Co-Products
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Why is working with biomass so challenging? Jonathan Male, Director at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) set out to answer that question at ABLC NEXT in San Francisco. Check out his illuminating
December 17, 2019 Read Full Article
Green Dreams: Agilyx and GE Enter Agreement to Advance the Circular Economy for Plastics
(Agilyx/PR Newswire) Bringing artificial intelligence, machine learning and predictive modeling to chemical recycling; Aiming to improve recycling of post-use plastics to >95% -- Imagine a world where plastic materials would never go to waste. Agilyx Corporation ("Agilyx"), the leader in chemical recycling of
December 16, 2019 Read Full Article
The Kodak Moment: The World’s Airlines Consider Their Low-Carbon Options in an Era of Flight-Shaming
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Now, the airlines were just about the first customers to clamor for advanced biofuels. In 2006, Richard Altman of the recently-formed Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative showed up at one of the earliest advanced biofuels
December 14, 2019 Read Full Article
DE-FOA-0002244: Notice of Intent: Bottle: Bio-Optimized Technologies to Keep Thermoplastics out of Landills and the Environment
(U.S. Department of Energy) The Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) intends to issue a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) entitled “BOTTLE: Bio-Optimized Technologies to Keep Thermoplastics out of Landfills and the Environment.” This FOA, jointly
December 11, 2019 Read Full Article
DE-FOA-0002202: Notice of Intent: FY20 Bioenergy Technologies Office Multi-Topic Funding Opportunity Announcement
(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
December 11, 2019 Read Full Article
Thermochemical Technology to Turn Trash to Treasure: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Enerkem’s Waste to Fuels
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
December 11, 2019 Read Full Article
A Plastics Dichotomy – Durables versus Single Use
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
December 11, 2019 Read Full Article
Department of Energy Launches Plastics Innovation Challenge
(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
December 11, 2019 Read Full Article
Trash to Cash – New Anellotech Technology Tackles Plastics Pollution by Recycling Plastic Waste Into Chemicals
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) In New York, breaking news arrived that Anellotech is significantly expanding its program with Plas-TCat, a new process technology aiming to convert a wide range of plastic waste directly into chemicals – which can then
December 09, 2019 Read Full Article
Five Major Trends in Biobased Renewables
(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
December 09, 2019 Read Full Article
Emissions from Production of Plastics Deserves Same Scrutiny as End-of-Life Debate, Says Expert.
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
December 05, 2019 Read Full Article
Fiberight Waste Facility Opens Doors after Delays, Serving Central Maine Region
by Meg Robbins (Morning Sentinel) After more than a year of delays, the Hampden-based trash-to-fuel plant is processing trash from 115 Maine communities, and hopes to see that number climb. -- The long anticipated trash-to-fuel facility in Hampden met its contract
December 03, 2019 Read Full Article
Shell Starts Recycling Plastics in Louisiana
by Jordan Blum (Houston Chronicle) Royal Dutch Shell said Thursday it has started making petrochemical products from recycled plastic waste to eventually help combat the growing fears that the world is drowning in plastics. The Anglo-Dutch energy giant said it is partnering
November 28, 2019 Read Full Article
The Role of Chemical Recycling in a Circular Economy and Effective Waste Management
by Zoltan Kish (Lee Enterprises Consulting, Inc./Biofuels Digest) ... At the same time, we have a tremendous business opportunity to convert waste into usable sustainable products. According to a market study report prepared by Market Insights Reports, the smart waste management market was valued at
November 19, 2019 Read Full Article
Like Fine Wine, Smellin’ Fine: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Anellotech’s Aromatics
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Fine wine takes time but it’s so worth it when you gather that first aroma of a freshly opened bottle…and Anellotech shows us that the wait is worth it when it comes to technology too.
November 18, 2019 Read Full Article
17 Trillion Pounds of Plastic – How Much Is Biodegradable?: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Algenesis’ Algae Polymers
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Science by Nature and Nature by Science is what it’s all about for Algenesis. Their goal is for 100% renewable, biodegradable, recyclable polyurethane that can be used for everything from flip flops to surfboards. Michael Burkart
November 15, 2019 Read Full Article
Neste and Remondis Link up to Develop Chemical Recycling of Plastic Waste
by Liz Gyekye (BioMarket Insights) ... Finnish renewable diesel and chemical provider Neste and German recycling provider Remondis have signed an agreement to collaborate in the development of chemical recycling of plastic waste. The companies will focus on developing and accelerating chemical
November 12, 2019 Read Full Article
National Policy on Biofuels 2018: Here Are Key Things You Should Know
(India Times/Economic Times) Adopting biofuels as an alternative source of energy can significantly improve farmers’ income, generate employment opportunities, reduce imports, augment waste to wealth creation, etc. -- Introduced in the year 2009, the current edition of the National Policy on Biofuels
November 06, 2019 Read Full Article
Views from Napa Valley: A Peak at California’s Low Carbon Fuels Program (2019)
by Michele Rubino (Biofuels Digest) ... Take California’s climate change mitigation efforts – and specifically the LCFS (Low Carbon Fuels Standard), the State’s flagship Program aimed at decarbonizing the transportation sector. Back in 2015 the Program was emerging from years
October 30, 2019 Read Full Article
Green Shoots: After a Sluggish Decade, Is the Bioenergy Tide Turning?
by Gerard J. Ostheimer, Ph.D. (below50) and Douglas L. Faulkner (“the Clean Tech Conservative” / Leatherstocking LLC) (Biofuels Digest) ... On the left there is a surging sense of climate action urgency. On the right is growing concern over energy security.
October 23, 2019 Read Full Article
Turn! Turn! Turn!: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Neste and Its Transformation
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) To everything there is a season, goes the old Pete Seeger lyric, and the Book of Ecclesiastes, come to think of it, and they must be reading their Bibles closely at Neste. Once into petroleum
October 21, 2019 Read Full Article
World First Products Made from Recycled Pollution Reduce Emissions and Keep Carbon in the Ground!
(Lanza Tech) Products made from recycled pollution are coming to a store near you! Beijing Shougang LanzaTech New Energy Science & Technology Co., Ltd. a joint venture between carbon recycler, LanzaTech, Shougang Group, a leading Chinese iron and steel producer, and
October 09, 2019 Read Full Article
The 10 Most Overlooked Stories in the Bioeconomy
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This is such Top Secret stuff that every announcement was, we surmise, buried in the hardest-to-find hole, on the loneliest street, of the most out-of-the-way town on Planet Neptune. Just shows what you might find down a
October 09, 2019 Read Full Article
“The Mindset Is There, We Need the Technologies and to Integrate Them: The Time Is Now”: Looking at Enerkem’s Evolution and the Rise of the Circular Economy
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Enerkem has been famed as a plaform for producing ethanol from municipal solid waste. Yet, there’s methanol as a platform. There’s also the possibility of moving from syngas to ethylene. There’s methanol to olefins, which
October 03, 2019 Read Full Article
Better Breakdown: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to PET Upcycling
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) As frustrated as you may get with your pet sometimes, we aren’t talking about upcycling dogs and cats here, but PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic that is typically landfilled. One group at NREL and ORNL are working
October 02, 2019 Read Full Article
$73 Million, 35 Projects, Who Won, for What and Why: The DOE Bioenergy Technologies Office 2019 Project Selections
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, the U.S. Department of Energy has selected 35 projects totaling $73 million for bioenergy research and development support. Funded through the DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, these projects will help reduce
October 02, 2019 Read Full Article
The Competitive Edge: Sweet Gazoil Inc.
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Sweet Gazoil (SGO) was founded with the goal of protecting the environment by providing cost-effective technologies to treat mixed waste plastics, heavy and used/waste oils, and other waste hydrocarbons. SGO has developed and patented an
September 27, 2019 Read Full Article
Fungus Fashion, BMW i Hydrogen NEXT Unveiled, Spider Silk and Cellulose Composite, Nestlé Opens Packaging Research Center, and More: The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the Week of September 25th
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) With Climate Week on many minds this week, it’s good to see innovations being developed to take a step in a better direction. Take CPI Card Group which is launching credit cards made from waste plastic
September 25, 2019 Read Full Article
Design and Deconstruction: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Recycling and Upcycling Plastics
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) We all know plastics are an issue but could there be a solution with a circular carbon economy for plastics? That’s exactly what BETO is looking at with biobased designs for recyclability, reduced use, improved
September 19, 2019 Read Full Article
This H2’s for you: Anheuser-Busch Launches Zero-Emission Hydrogen Truck Fleet, and Eni, Toyota, Venice Partner to Do the Same
(Hydrogen Digest) In Missouri, cold beer is being transported in hydrogen-powered zero-emission semi-trucks as Anheuser-Busch moves to more sustainable shipping. The company plans to buy up to 800 of Nikola Motor’s semi-trucks to meet its objectives of reducing CO2 emissions by 25% across
September 18, 2019 Read Full Article
USWTE Green Industrial Fund Launches Seeking Ozone Investors to Establish Waste to Energy Facilities in the Qualified Opportunity Zones Throughout the United States
(USWTE Green Industrial Fund/PR Newswire) USWTE Green Industrial Fund launches, seeking Ozone investors to establish Waste to Energy (WTE) projects with a view to having follow up funds to invest in WTE type industrial parks in the Qualified Opportunity Zones throughout the United
September 18, 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
Venice, the Capital of Hydrogen: Agreement Signed between Municipality, Metropolitan City of Venice, Eni and Toyota
(Eni) Venice is experimenting with hydrogen-fuelled mobility, which only releases water vapour from exhausts. This afternoon in Mestre, as part of the events organised by Italy’s Japan Foundation for 'Japan Week', the Municipality and the Metropolitan City of Venice, Eni and
September 10, 2019 Read Full Article
Biotech to Biochem: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Versalis’ Chemistry from Renewables
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Versalis, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eni, and while their history lies with traditional chemicals, they now have strategic guidelines for chemistry from renewables. Their biotech business unit is one of the ways they are integrating
September 06, 2019 Read Full Article
Heavenly Trash – Dream in the Sky or Bringing It Down to Earth? Cielo and the Future of Waste to Renewable Diesel
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) ... Find out how Cielo (Waste Solutions) turns trash to treasure, why they love anything with cellulosic fiber, how they plan on becoming a multi-billion, yes, Billion, dollar company in five years, their plans
September 02, 2019 Read Full Article
Waste-to-Energy from Municipal Solid Wastes Report Released!
(U.S. Department of Energy) In the United States, municipal solid waste (MSW) is both a potentially valuable resource and often a significant disposal problem in many locations. The United States produced more than 260 million tons of MSW in 2015.
August 28, 2019 Read Full Article
U.S. Recycling Industry Is Struggling to Figure Out a Future without China
by Christopher Joyce (National Public Radio) The U.S. used to send a lot of its plastic waste to China to get recycled. But last year, China put the kibosh on imports of the world's waste. The policy, called National Sword, freaked
August 23, 2019 Read Full Article
Three UK Companies Join Forces to Create Waste Plastic to Hydrogen Facilities
(Bioenergy Insight) Three companies have joined forces to create waste plastic to hydrogen facilities across the UK. Peel Environmental has signed a collaboration agreement with Waste2Tricity and PowerHouse Energy which will see 11 waste plastic to hydrogen facilities developed. The £130 million
August 20, 2019 Read Full Article
The Digital Deluge: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Praj’s Digital Biology
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Digital biology is a phrase that seems as mystical as a unicorn, but Vineet Rajgarhia, Senior VP of Biochemicals at Praj Industries, shared this presentation at ABLC 2019 in Washington, D.C. on how the oil
August 20, 2019 Read Full Article
Replacing Crude Oil with Waste Plastics
(Neste) The aim is to proceed to an industrial scale trial during 2019. By 2030, Neste targets to process more than one million tons of plastic waste annually by 2030. Neste is already the world's largest producer of renewable diesel
August 19, 2019 Read Full Article
Circular Economy Package, European Commission, July 2018
by Liz Gyekye (BioMarket Insights) The European Union (EU)’s landmark ‘Circular Economy Package’ came into force last year. By July 2020, the bloc’s 28 member states will have to incorporate the Package into national law. Some say that this legislation is the most
August 15, 2019 Read Full Article
Zero Emission Heavy Fuel Oil: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to GoodFuels’ Marine Biofuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) GoodFuels is seeing a fast rise of low carbon marine fuels as a very logical one. The demand. The supply. The environmental impact. Even the economics. It’s all making sense now. In November, GoodFuels completed trials
August 07, 2019 Read Full Article
Novo Holdings Invests $72 Million in Sustainable Products Leader LanzaTech
(Lanza Tech) Novo Holdings A/S (Novo Holdings) and LanzaTech, a pioneer in the production of next generation fuels and chemicals through the recycling of carbon pollution, announce today that they have formed a partnership to grow LanzaTech’s revolutionary sustainable fuels and
August 06, 2019 Read Full Article
Licella Ignites Carbon Re-Use Week with Oji Deal to Make Fuels, Chemicals from End-of-Life Plastic
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Licella signed a memorandum of understanding with New Zealand’s pulp, paper and packaging business giant Oji Fibre Solutions to investigate plastic recycling technology for New Zealand. Specifically, the physical and chemical recycling of what they’re
August 06, 2019 Read Full Article
Cielo Announces MOU to Build a Renewable Diesel Refinery in Lethbridge, Alberta and Settlement of Debt
(Cielo/Bloomberg) ("Cielo" or the "Company") announces that it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with Renewable U LethbridgeInc. ("Renewable U LA") to build a renewable diesel refinery in the City of Lethbridge, Alberta. Renewable U LA and Cielo are now working
August 02, 2019 Read Full Article
Southern Alberta Waste Refinery Turning Trash into ‘High-Grade, Low-Cost’ Biodiesel
by Heide Pearson (Global News) A new refinery set to open in southern Alberta is aiming to change the way household waste is recycled and reduce the carbon footprint at the same time. Cielo Waste Solutions is set to open its first refinery
July 12, 2019 Read Full Article
Organic Waste to Energy: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Ag-Grid Energy
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Ag-Grid Energy LLC has 5 projects underway currently where the emphasis is organic waste to renewable energy. Ag-Grid Energy has a vision to drive dairy farm sustainability by converting agricultural and organic waste to energy, enhance
July 12, 2019 Read Full Article
The Energy Transition and Oil Companies’ Hard Choices
by Rob West and Bassam Fattouh (The Oxford Institute for Energy Studies) In this Energy Insight, we explore the challenges of the energy transition for international oil companies (IOCs). We argue that energy demand forecasts are inconsistent with meeting Paris Agreement
July 09, 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
Who’s Down with TCP: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Synpet Technologies
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Synpet Technologiesuses Thermal Conversion Process (TCP), a patented non-combustion technology which breaks down all organic materials by using heat, pressure and water to produce renewable diesel oil and other valuable co-products from waste. So let’s get
June 28, 2019 Read Full Article
Partnership for Production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel
(NTBInfo/Avinor) Avinor has entered into an agreement with Quantafuel to buy sustainable aviation fuel based on Norwegian biomass. The fuel will be produced in a pilot plant partly funded by ENOVA*. “Sustainable aviation fuel is essential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from
June 25, 2019 Read Full Article
Cielo Announces Grand Opening of Aldersyde Refinery
(Cielo) CSE: CMC: Cielo Waste Solutions Corp. ('Cielo' or the 'Company') is pleased to announce that it will be holding the "Grand Opening" of its renewable fuels refinery in Aldersyde, Alberta (the "Refinery") on July 11th, 2019 between noon and 3 PM
June 17, 2019 Read Full Article
All I Need Is the Air that I Breathe: The Search for Better Sources for Octane and Better Uses for Aromatics
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, a new report concludes that emissions from petroleum-based gasoline “are one of the biggest health threats facing the American public”. The report links a wide range of respiratory and even neurological diseases to toxic
June 12, 2019 Read Full Article
Diesel Decarbonization Brings Transformative Opportunities for Next Generation Biodiesel Feedstocks
by William R. Thurmond (Emerging Markets Online/MENAFN) New study finds next generation feedstock markets and technologies are big winners in diesel decarbonization initiatives for low carbon fuels. In the U.S., Canada, Europe, Asia, and Latin America, strong demand signals and incentives
June 03, 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
Running on Refuse
by Matt Thompson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Enerkem is producing methanol and ethanol at its Edmonton, Alberta, plant, diverting up to 24 percent of the city’s landfill waste. The company has partners for another project in the Netherlands. -- A Canadian company is
May 15, 2019 Read Full Article
DE-FOA-0002029: FY19 Bioenergy Technologies Office Multi-Topic Funding Opportunity Announcement DEADLINE: June 3, 2019
(U.S. Department of Energy) This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) will provide funding to address the highest priority R&D areas within biofuel technologies, bioproducts, and biopower. It includes Areas of Interest (AOIs) from all five BETO programs: Feedstock Supply and Logistics; Advanced
May 10, 2019 Read Full Article
DE-FOA-0002029: FY19 Bioenergy Technologies Office Multi-Topic Funding Opportunity Announcement
(U.S. Department of Energy) This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) will provide funding to address the highest priority R&D areas within biofuel technologies, bioproducts, and biopower. It includes Areas of Interest (AOIs) from all five BETO programs: Feedstock Supply and Logistics; Advanced
May 03, 2019 Read Full Article
New Energy Risk Back $260M Plastics-to-Fuel Plan with Innovative Insurance Solution
(New Energy Risk) Breakthrough insurance program mitigates project risk and accelerates time to market -- New Energy Risk, the leader in customized insurance solutions for renewable technology projects, has provided RES Polyflow, a leading plastics-to-fuel technology company, with a performance insurance program
April 24, 2019 Read Full Article
Quantafuel Signs Agreement to Convert Plastic Waste into Biofuel
(Biofuels International) Energy firm Geminor announced that it has signed a cooperation agreement with fellow Norwegian advanced biofuel producer Quantafuel to secure deliveries of plastic waste for Quantafuel’s plants for biofuel production. “Quantafuel’s fuel production is groundbreaking and an industry we want
April 12, 2019 Read Full Article
Plant and Algae-Based Tuna, Lignin Plastic Alternative, Rice Husks in Architecture, Seaweed T-shirt and Lube, Jute and Kenaf Composites and more: The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the week of March 21st
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 March 21st. In today’s Digest, plant and algae-based tuna, lignin plastic alternative, rice husks in architecture,
March 21, 2019 Read Full Article
Innovative Waste to Biofutures Project Funding DEADLINE: April 8, 2019
by Elisa Iannunzio (Energy Magazine) The Queensland Government has opened up expressions of interest for its new $5 million Queensland Waste to Biofutures Fund (W2B Fund). The fund will help Queensland companies find innovative ways to convert waste into bio-based products –
March 19, 2019 Read Full Article
As Costs Skyrocket, More U.S. Cities Stop Recycling
by Michael Corkery (New York Times) ... “We are in a crisis moment in the recycling movement right now,” said Fiona Ma, the treasurer of California, where recycling costs have increased in some cities. Prompting this nationwide reckoning is China, which
March 18, 2019 Read Full Article
Eni and COREPLA Agree to Produce Hydrogen from Plastic Packaging Waste
(Eni) Today, Eni signed an agreement with COREPLA to launch research projects to produce hydrogen from non-recyclable plastic packaging waste. -- Eni signed an agreement with COREPLA, the National Consortium for the Collection, Recycling and Recovery of Plastic Packaging, to launch
March 12, 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
Diesel Refinery Planned for Qld: Aussie Company Works to Turn Plastics, Old Tyres and Waste into Diesel Fuel for Trucks
by Neil Dowling (Go Auto News Premium) An Australian company funded in part by the Queensland government is now trialling the production of renewable diesel fuel for use in heavy machinery, trucks and marine engines. It is hoped that the trials, to last
March 11, 2019 Read Full Article
Commercializing Marine Biofuels: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to GoodFuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) GoodFuels is the the market-leader in developing and delivering advanced sustainable fuels for the transport sector, offering a cost-effective pathway towards a low-carbon society. Their focus is on the aviation, shipping and heavy road and rail sectors. Bart
March 11, 2019 Read Full Article
Shell Joins Air Liquide, Nouryon in Enerkem Waste-to-Chemicals Project in Rotterdam: The Complete Story
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Shell will become an equal equity partner in the proposed commercial-scale waste-to-chemicals project, which will be the first of its kind in Europe to make valuable chemicals and biofuels out of non-recyclable waste materials. The consortium,
March 04, 2019 Read Full Article
News Release: NREL Pioneers Cleaner Route to Upcycle Plastics into Superior Products
(National Renewable Energy Laboratory) Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have discovered a method of plastics upcycling—transforming discarded products into new, high-value materials of better quality and environmental value—that could economically incentivize the recycling of
March 01, 2019 Read Full Article
World’s 1st for Product Carbon Footprints, Polyhydroxyalkanoates Bioplastic, BASF Shoe Shanks, Bacteria-Infused Knits, Eastman’s Cellulosic Yarn and More: The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the Week of February 28th
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 February 28th. In today’s Digest, world’s 1st for product carbon footprints, polyhydroxyalkanoates bioplastic, BASF shoe shanks,
March 01, 2019 Read Full Article
Circular Economy for Plastics --- March 15, 2019 --- IIT Bombay, India
Recycling is not sufficient alone as an approach, because only 9% of the plastics produced globally are recycled! On the other hand, creating circularity and closed loop systems reduces the net consumption of virgin resources and generation of waste. Making
March 01, 2019 Read Full Article
Australia-First 100% Renewable Diesel to be trialled
(Biofuels International) Political party, Australia-first are trialling the use of 100% renewable diesel to fuel a Scania test engine, with support from the Palaszczuk Government’s Advance Queensland Industry Attraction Fund. Southern Oil’s Advanced Biofuels Pilot Plant at Yarwun, near Gladstone, is pioneering
February 28, 2019 Read Full Article
So Happy Together: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Biomass and Plastic Wastes Co-Processing
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Lorenz Bauer, from LJBILL Chemical Consulting and a member of Lee Enterprises Consulting offers this illuminating overview of biomass and non-recyclable plastic to liquid fuel, landfill and carbon reduction, and more. Lee Enterprises Consulting is the world’s
February 22, 2019 Read Full Article
Grow Your Own Bioplastic Home, Avocado-Pit Bioplastic, Arla and UPM’s Wood-Based Dairy Packaging, PHA Bioplastic Water Bottle and More: The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the Week of February 20th
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 February 20th. In today’s Digest, grow your own bioplastic home, avocado-pit bioplastic, Arla and UPM’s wood-based
February 22, 2019 Read Full Article
New Technique Converts Plastic Waste to Fuel
by Prachi Patel (Anthropocene Magazine) A new method to convert a commonly used plastic into oil is more energy-efficient than recycling or burning plastic waste. -- One strategy to fight plastic pollution is to convert oceans of plastic trash into something valuable. The
February 22, 2019 Read Full Article
The Wonder from Down Under Finds an Aussie Funder
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) From Australia we have just heard that Licella has given the exclusive Australian license for the Cat-HTR and End-of-Life Plastic to its subsidiary iQ Renew, which has in turn merged with Australian recycler Stop Waste, a cash
February 18, 2019 Read Full Article
EXECUTIVE INTERVIEW: Neste Brings Biofuels to the Aviation Industry
(ACT News) An ACT News Executive Interview with Lana Van Marter, Commercial Development Manager, Neste, a front-runner in the production of advanced biofuels and renewable fuels. Lana Van Marter has a unique perspective on sustainability and many of the global challenges we
February 18, 2019 Read Full Article
MEGA MEG – Braskem and Haldor Topsoe’s Monoethylene Glycol from Sugar Is in Operation
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) ...Brazil-based Braskem and Denmark-based Haldor Topsoe just commissioned their pioneering demonstration unit, located in Denmark, for the development of monoethylene glycol (MEG) from sugar. Their innovation for renewable plastic made from sugar instead of traditional fossil
February 11, 2019 Read Full Article
SABIC and Customers Launch Certified Circular Polymers from Mixed Plastic Waste
(SABIC) o SABIC and customers Unilever, Vinventions and Walki Group will introduce ISCC certified circular polymers in 2019 during a market foundation stage. SABIC’s certified circular polymers will be produced in The Netherlands from a recycled plastic waste feedstock developed
February 03, 2019 Read Full Article
Sustainable Plastics – If We Want a Sustainable Future, It Will Be Driven by Companies
by Tomi Nyman (Pöyry/Biofuels Digest) It seems like there is a never-ending deluge of negativity about plastics in the media. Yet for all the valid and important points being made about the environmental impacts of plastics, the most important question is all
January 17, 2019 Read Full Article
Neste Is Not Using Palm Oil as a Raw Material for Renewable Aviation Fuel
(Neste) Biofuel Watch published a report “Neste: The Finnish company preparing to put palm oil in aircraft fuel tanks” on 9 January 2019. The report suggests that Neste is looking to palm oil as a key raw material for the expansion
January 11, 2019 Read Full Article
Aviation Solutions: The Digest’s Multi-Slide Guide to Neste
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Neste has a strong history of developing, commercializing, and marketing new fuels, including diesel, renewable chemicals, renewable jet fuel, and more. Neville Fernandes from Neste, gave this illuminating overview of their plans for the production and expansion
January 03, 2019 Read Full Article
3D Printing Lignin, Potato Postal Sleeves, Alginate Sausage Casing, Tree to Textiles, Chemical Recycling and More: The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the Week of January 2nd
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 January 2nd. In today’s Digest, 3D printing lignin, potato postal sleeves, alginate sausage casing, tree
January 03, 2019 Read Full Article
Designed Materials Innovation: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide ABLC Guide to Checkerspot
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Checkerspot designs high performance materials such as microbes to express new molecular building blocks that they then apply chemistry to create materials that are built into parts and products they prototype. Charles Dimmler, Checkerspot’s CEO gave this
December 27, 2018 Read Full Article
Waste Accumulation Problems and Opportunities
by Zoltan Kish (Lee Enterprises Consulting, Inc./Biofuels Digest) ... In 2016, the Ontario government released its Strategy for a Waste-Free Ontario [2], diverting our wasteful ways towards an entirely circular economy, but it doesn’t seem to be widely discussed. This strategy requires appropriate tools
December 26, 2018 Read Full Article
Energy Department Seeks Information on Algae, Biomass, and Waste Feedstock Research -- DE-FOA-00002020 FY 2019 Bioenergy Technologies Multi-Topic RFI DEADLINE: extended to January 18, 2019
(Department of Energy) The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) is requesting information on research opportunities related to outdoor algae research, biomass characteristics and feedstock performance, and renewable energy
December 14, 2018 Read Full Article
RSB Assembly Approves Groundbreaking Standard for Advanced Products
(Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials) In a leap forward for the sustainable bioeconomy, the members of the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials approved our groundbreaking Advanced Products Standard. The culmination of over 18 months of consultation, expert working groups and member dialogue, the
December 14, 2018 Read Full Article
Collaboration Is the Name of the Game at RSB’s 2018 Annual Meeting – Event Wrap-up
(Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials) Each year RSB brings its community together for the highlight of our calendar: our Annual Meeting. An opportunity to gather our members from many different sectors to discuss and debate the most pressing issues in the development
December 14, 2018 Read Full Article
Delta Refinery Will Convert Plastic Waste to Jet Fuel with Sir Richard Branson-backed Agilyx
by Alex Gailey (Atlanta Business Chronicle) Monroe Energy, Delta's subsidiary refinery, will start converting plastic waste into jet fuel under an agreement with Agilyx, an environmental technology and development company backed by Sir Richard Branson. The idea is that the material will help create
November 21, 2018 Read Full Article
Plant to Convert E-Waste into Biofuel to Be Made Operational Soon: Harsh Vardhan
(Economic Times) Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan said Saturday a plant to covert plastic waste into bio-diesel will soon be made operational at the Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP) in Dehradun. He was speaking at the International E-Waste Day event organised by the
November 13, 2018 Read Full Article
Landfill-to-Anything-Soon, Puleeze: In Search of New Energy, Materials from Waste
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The names seem less settled than the markets or science: is it biogas, biomethane, renewable natural gas, or RNG? Whatever your preferred name, you don’t have to burn it to make it hot — methane of
October 18, 2018 Read Full Article
Can the Bioeconomy Help Combat Plastic Waste?
by Jessie Stolark (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) Recent reports have underscored the enormity of the global plastic waste issue. There are 9.2 billion tons of plastic waste in the environment and an additional 500 tons of plastics are produced annually.
September 28, 2018 Read Full Article
Enerkem Commits to Turning Marine Waste into Biofuel
(Biofuels International) At the G7 Environment, Energy and Oceans Ministerial Meeting in Halifax, Nova Scotia, global waste-to-biofuels and chemical producer Enerkem announced that it will be exploring opportunities to act against oceans plastic waste and marine litter. After constructing the ‘world’s first’
September 21, 2018 Read Full Article
Cars Could Run on Hydrogen Made From Plastic
by Alan Harman (Wards Auto) Chemistry department researcher Moritz Kuehnel says light-absorbing materials are added to the plastic before it is placed in an alkaline solution and then exposed to sunlight, which creates hydrogen. Discarded plastic could be used to fuel cars with
September 14, 2018 Read Full Article
Recycling Plastics & Circular Economy
by KSL (Biofuels Digest/E2IG Solutions) ... The constantly increasing demand for plastics have caused substantial plastic wastes accumulation in landfills, oceans and rivers that have aggravated environmental pollution problems. The rising plastics demand has contributed significantly to the depletion of petroleum
August 28, 2018 Read Full Article
27 Technologies to Produce Lower Carbon Fuels from “Second Chance Carbon” — and Its Practicioners. Who’s Doing What, Where, When, Why and How?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In the EU, perhaps the most comprehensive and useful guide to fuels and chemicals produced from “Recycled carbon fuels”, such as those produced from waste plastics or waste industrial gases, appeared from the gurus at E4Tech. And,
August 22, 2018 Read Full Article
Plastics Proliferation Transitioning to Bioplastics Boost
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) IHS Markit published a plastics report saying that the market value for biodegradable polymers exceeds $1 billion and will rise sharply by 2023 thanks to increased plastic regulations and bans in Western Europe. But it’s not just Europe
August 06, 2018 Read Full Article
Renewable Carbon is Key to a Sustainable and Future-Oriented Chemical Industry
(nova-Institute) The equivalent to decarbonisation in the energy sector is a transition to carbon from renewable sources in the chemical and plastics industries. The nova-Institute published a position paper on the future of chemistry. The chemical industry may only develop into
August 06, 2018 Read Full Article
The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the Week of August 2nd: Waste Plastics for Fuels and Sneakers, Eggs without the Chicken, 3D Printing, Algae-Based Ketchup Packaging, Green Funerals, Biodegradable Grills
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
August 02, 2018 Read Full Article
Biofuel’s Role in the Circular Economy: Key Lessons and Actions for the Industry
By Michael Eggleston* (Advanced Biofuels USA) When it comes to reducing, reusing and recycling our goods most people associate consuming less of what we already have with a ‘circular economy’. What is rarely, if ever discussed at conferences concerning changing
June 22, 2018 Read Full Article
EU Warms to Plastic Waste ‘Recycling’ as Transport Fuel
by Frédéric Simon (EURACTIV.com) A proposal to use non-recyclable plastic waste in the production of transport fuels is picking momentum among EU member states and legislators in the European Parliament, despite warnings from environmentalists. Old plastic materials that cannot be recycled
May 30, 2018 Read Full Article
A World First in the Port of Amsterdam
(Port of Amsterdam) In the port of Amsterdam the construction has started of a new facility that will convert non-recyclable plastic into fuel for the transport sector, which will cut down CO₂ emission by 57,000 tonnes per year. It is the
May 11, 2018 Read Full Article
The Circular Economy: It’s Time Has Come
by KSL (Biofuels Digest) ... Prior to the energy crisis, most economies were too extravagant; now, they have now overreacted and have become retrenchment-mad. It is imperative to think rationally and design progress with the right analysis and tools to
March 30, 2018 Read Full Article
Leaps and Bounds in Sustainable Plastics and Nylons: U Wisconsin, Genomatica, Aquafil, Anellotech, Suntory, ADM, DuPont in the Mix
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) It’s been a big week in plastics and nylons, all right — not only for those who value sustainability attributes, but for fans of lower costs and higher performance, too. Let’s look at 4 Biggies makin’
January 24, 2018 Read Full Article
How Boisean Will Escape the Cuts in Plastics Recycling — and Recycle Even More of Them
(Diesel Technology Forum) Boise has found a way for city residents not only to keep recycling the same plastics they have recycled for years, but also to expand plastic recycling to items such as shopping bags, foam egg cartons, cereal box
January 09, 2018 Read Full Article
Waste to Energy: Production of Biofuel from Waste to Commence in South-West
(Nigerian Tribune) ... YEJIDE GBENGA-OGUNDARE reports that to stop the overdependence on petroleum products, the South-west is set to be the site of a project that is novel to Africa; processing of liquid fuel (biofuel) from waste plastic materials. ... In the last
December 14, 2017 Read Full Article
Plastic Stretches Towards the New: Top 10 Trendlines in Bioplastics
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Plant Bottle has generated so much goodwill and publicity for its 30% renewable, sustainable content (and that biobased MEG) that it’s easy to forget that there are several paths being chased to 100% renewable
September 07, 2017 Read Full Article
U of Minnesota Helps Startup Resynergi Create Energy from Plastic Waste and Biomass
(University of Minnesota) California waste recovery company Resynergi Inc. is drawing on University of Minnesota expertise and technology to develop and commercially manufacture a biorefining technology that converts both plastic and biomass into oil and gas. Resynergi is combining U of
June 13, 2017 Read Full Article
Performance, Price, Sustainability: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to Genomatica
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Genomatica is a widely-recognized technology leader for the chemical industry, delivering new manufacturing processes that enable its partners to produce the world’s most widely-used chemicals from alternative feedstocks, with better economics and greater sustainability than petroleum-based
June 12, 2017 Read Full Article
Neste Deepens Its Knowhow on the Circular Economy - Waste Plastics Now in Focus
(Neste) Neste deepens its knowhow on the circular economy - waste plastics now in focus -- Neste, the world's leading biofuel producer in the circular economy, is putting a large amount of resources into research on waste and residue raw
June 07, 2017 Read Full Article
Northern Oil Advanced Biofuels Pilot Plant Opening
by Francesca Brindle (Hydrocarbon Engineering) Southern Oil has announced that Queensland Premier, the Hon. Annastacia Palaszczuk MP, will officially open the Northern Oil advanced biofuels pilot plant in Gladstone on 1 June 2017. The $18 million project brings together all
May 25, 2017 Read Full Article
She Found a Way to Make Plastic Waste Useful
by Chandana Banerjee (Christian Science Monitor) In 60 cities in India, 16,876 tons of plastic waste are generated each day, according to data from the country’s Central Pollution Control Board. Multiply that by 365, and you have more than 6