BioRefineries Blog

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Eni, Euglena and Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS) are jointly studying the possibility of developing and operating a biorefinery in the Pengerang Integrated Complex (PIC), one of the largest integrated refinery and petrochemical developments in Southeast Asia. Press release: " Eni, Euglena and PETRONAS to explore biorefinery opportunity in Malaysia ", 14/12/2022. The three parties are currently carrying out technical and economic feasibility assessments for the proposed project, with the investment decision expected to be reached by 2023 and the plant targeted to be completed by 2025. To be located adjacent to PETRONAS’ existing integrated refinery and petrochemical facilities, the biorefinery will be able to leverage the company’s integrated value chain as well as existing utilities and facilities in PIC. The complex’s strategic location with easy access to major international shipping lanes will also enhance the planned refinery’s ability to...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Following the construction of its first PLA plant in China in 2021, Futerro is planning to set up a new fully integrated biorefinery in the industrial and port area of Port-Jérôme, in the Caux Seine agglomeration (commune of Saint-Jean-de-Folleville), located on the Seine axis between Rouen and Le Havre. Press release: " Futerro aims to set-up a new fully integrated PLA biorefinery in Normandy, France ", 08/12/2022. Futerro has started negotiations with Caux-Seine Agglo and its economic development agency Caux-Seine Développement in order to build a new generation of vertically integrated biorefinery, with an annual production capacity of 75,000 tons. The project should potentially create 250 direct jobs and 900 jobs in adjacent sectors.  Futerro has already put an option on a plot of land of approximately 26.5 hectares located in the commune of Saint-Jean-de-Folleville, on the Port-Jérôme industrial estate, and has begun the ecological and enviro...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Microphyt announced a Serie B fundraising of €15 million.  The funds will be used to accelerate both the new products development and the commercialization of the product portfolio as well as to increase production of Microphyt’s industrial platform in Baillargues (South of France) to meet customer demand.  This investment was led by L’Oréal through its venture capital fund BOLD Business Opportunities for L’Oréal Development and supported by Microphyt’s current investors Bpifrance, through the “Sociétés de Projets Industriels” fund, Sofinnova Partners, IXO-Private Equity, Supernova Partners, IRDI and Sofilaro.  Pres s release: " Microphyt raises €15 million to accelerate the commercialization of its microalgae-based natural solutions for nutrition and well-being ", 30/11/2022. Figure 1. Microphyt's  Camargue photobiorectors (taken from the press release) Microphyt launched successfully over the last 18 months 5 new proprietary ingred...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Smallholder farmers in Uganda are starting to experience the benefits of a new bio-based technology that turns locally grown elephant grass into nutritious livestock feed. One of the flagship technologies of the BIO4Africa project, the green biorefinery is the first of its kind on African soil – and a step towards replacing expensive soy imports with a home-grown source of sustainable, high-quality protein. Press release: " Africa gains first green biorefinery for sustainable livestock feed ". Related posts: - " Biorefinery models - Green biorefinery ", 05/04/2016. - " Profile: Biorefinery Glas - Small-scale farmer-led green biorefineries ", 10/12/2018. Figure 1. The BIO4Africa biorefinery in Uganda is up and running (taken from the press release) The biorefinery lies in Fort Portal on the premises of Kabarole Research & Resource Centre, one of the 25 partners in the EU-African BIO4Africa consortium. Another partner, Dutch ...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Ananas Anam has introduced a next textile innovation made from pineapple leaf fibre: Piñayarn. Press release: " Ananas Anam launches low impact yarn ", 08/11/2022. Piñayarn offers a 100% plant-based, recyclable, and biodegradable textile solution for a world otherwise dominated by petroleum-based textiles and resource intense virgin fibres. By repurposing waste leaves that would usually be burnt after the pineapple harvest, innovative technologies are used to extract the natural fibres and blend with other plant-based fibres into yarns for the textile market. The spinning technology used to create Piñayarn uses no water and zero harmful chemicals, making a naturally breathable and biodegradable yarn, with a low environmental impact. Complementing the existing product offering of Ananas Anam (Piñatex), Piñayarn provides a second solution to support brands with reducing their environmental impact. As a versatile yarn, Piñayarn can be tailor...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Averda and WasteFuel have announced a partnership to develop the first commercial scale municipal waste to renewable methanol plant in the Middle East. Press release: " Averda and WasteFuel partner to address the climate crisis by turning waste into low carbon fuels in the Middle East ", 07/11/2022. Related post: " Maersk invests in WasteFuel to develop renewable methanol production ", 24/09/2021. The location for the first plant is being researched, and it is expected to be in Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates. The plant will produce renewable methanol for shipping from unrecyclable waste currently being collected and disposed of by Averda. This renewable fuel would help shipping companies achieve up to 90% reductions in CO2 emissions and other greenhouse gases and pollutants compared to conventional fuels.

  Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Sinarmas Cepsa Pte Ltd (SCPL) and its parent companies, the chemicals business of CEPSA and agribusiness Golden Agri-Resources (GAR), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to expand the production of bio-based chemicals at SCPL’s site in Lubuk Gaung, Indonesia. Press release: " Sinarmas Cepsa Pte. Ltd. signs agreement to expand bio-based chemicals production ", 08/11/2022. Related post: " Sinar Mas Cepsa starts up production at vegetable-based alcohols plant in Indonesia ", 15/09/2017. The site is ideally positioned to serve customers worldwide and the existing facility, which started production in 2017, is fully utilised. SCPL has a strong ambition to grow along the fatty alcohols value chain, with sustainable development at the heart of its strategy and operations. Global demand for fatty acids and natural alcohols is driven by growing demand for home and personal care products, as well as increasing demand for sustainable, bio-b...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Shell has agreed to buy a total of 3.25 billion litres of sugar-cane cellulosic ethanol under a long-term agreement with Brazil’s Raízen. The low-carbon fuel is expected to be produced by five plants that Raízen plans to build in Brazil, bringing its total portfolio of cellulosic ethanol facilities to nine.  Press release: " Shell and Raízen sign large cellulosic ethanol deal ", 07/11/2022. Related posts:  - " Raízen to build its second cellulosic ethanol plant ", 28/06/2021. - " Raizen to build 2 new cellulosic ethanol plants ", 14/05/2022. CELLULOSIC ETHANOL Under the agreement, Shell Trading Rotterdam will buy the cellulosic ethanol produced during the first 10 years of each new facility’s operational life. Raízen will supply cellulosic ethanol with a carbon intensity that is approximately 75% lower than gasoline. Raízen expects to invest around $1.5 billion in the plants, the last of which is expected to be operational by t...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Alder Fuels has selected BTG Bioliquids to be part of the first Alder Greencrude (AGC) processing facility in the United States Southeast. Press release: " BTG Bioliquids Fast Pyrolysis Technology Chosen by Alder Fuels as Part of Pioneering Southeast Facility ", 31/10/2022. Related posts:  - " Biorefinery platforms – Pyrolysis oil / Biobased oil / Biobased crude ", 04/01/2022. - " Fast pyrolysis plants ", 17/07/2019. - " Pyrocell commences pyrolysis oil production in Sweden ", 27/09/2021. The initial step in the fuel production process is the conversion of sustainable biomass residues into fast pyrolysis bio-oil. As one of the world’s leading fast pyrolysis technology providers, BTG Bioliquids develops production plants through their engineering, procurement, and construction partner, TechnipEnergies. These plants aim to convert non-food, diverse, and sustainable biomass sources into fast pyrolysis bio-oil that can he...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Eni met with the president of Tuscany, Eugenio Giani, and the mayors of Livorno, Luca Salvetti, and Collesalvetti, Adelio Antolini, to confirm that the company is investigating the opportunity to build a new biorefinery at Eni's industrial site in Livorno. Press release: " Eni considers the possibility of building a third bio-refinery in Livorno ", 17/10/22. Related posts: " Eni opens its second HVO biorefinery in Italy ", 27/09/19. The feasibility study involves building three new plants for the production of hydrogenated biofuel: a biogenic feedstock pre-treatment unit, a 500,000 tons/year Ecofining™ plant and a plant for the production of hydrogen from methane gas. The construction of the new bio-refinery – located in an industrial area which houses fuel and lubricant production facilities – would maximise synergies from the infrastructure already available and secure the site's future as an employment and production hub.

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Braskem and Sojitz have announced the launch of Sustainea, which will produce and market bioMEG (monoethylene glycol) and bioMPG (monopropylene glycol). The market launch of the brand follows the approval of the joint venture (the process began in March 2022) by antitrust authorities. Press release: " Braskem and Sojitz Corporation launch Sustainea ", 21/10/2022. Related posts:  - " Braskem and Haldor Topsoe to validate new bio-MEG production process in a demo plant ", 13/11/2017. - " Braskem and Haldor Topsoe start production of biobased MEG at their demo plant in Lyngby ", 25/11/2020. Figure 1. Braskem and Sojitz launch Sustainea to produce and market biobased glycols The business plan envisages the construction of three industrial plants, with the first unit slated for operational startup in 2025, taking advantage of market opportunities and feedstock availability. The locations where the industrial units will be built have ...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. After a long and challenging development process, GAIA BioMaterials has finally presented a thermoformable version of their biomaterial Biodolomer®, that not only can withstand microwave heat, but also has the potential for passing the home composting requirements. P ress release: " GAIA BIOMATERIALS LAUNCHES A WORLD FIRST IN PACKAGING MATERIALS ", 04/10/2022. Figure 1. The new Biodolomer® grade from GAIA BioMaterials is suitable for microwave oven usage. The solution is to be found in a combination of the proprietary recipe, as well as the new production equipment, which the company installed in its factory in Helsingborg during last year. Ever since its foundation, the company has nurtured a vision of a microwave-safe material that can also be disposed of in a home compost. Step by step, GAIA has approached the goal by adjusting the material and the production process.

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. H oneywell has announced a new ethanol-to-jet fuel (ETJ) processing technology that allows producers to convert corn-based, cellulosic, or sugar-based ethanol into sustainable aviation fuel. Press release: " Honeywell Revolutionizes Ethanol-To-Jet Fuel Technology to Meet Rising Demand for Sustainable Aviation Fuel ", 10/10/2022. Related posts: " Alcohol-To-Fuel ", 02/07/2018. Figure 1. UOP’s ethanol to jet (ETJ) process technology Demand for SAF continues to grow, yet the aviation industry is challenged by limited supplies of traditional SAF feedstocks such as vegetable oils, animal fats and waste oils. Ethanol offers producers a widely available, economically viable feedstock. Honeywell's ready now technology uses high-performance catalysts and heat management capabilities to maximize production efficiency, resulting in a cost-effective, lower carbon intensity aviation fuel. Depending on the type of ethanol feedstock used, jet fuel ...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. AFYREN has inaugurated its first large-scale plant, AFYREN NEOXY, in Carling Saint-Avold (Grand Est, Moselle, France) on the Chemesis industrial platform. I t came online within its deadline and budget. P ress release: " AFYREN inaugurates its first factory, AFYREN NEOXY, a first-of-its-kind biorefinery ", 29/09/2022. Related post: “ AFYREN starts construction of its first biorefinery to produce biobased organic acids ”, 14/12/2020.   Figure 1. AFYREN NEOXY After the start of construction in December 2020, major milestones included obtaining the operating permit, completion of civil engineering work, construction of the plant and the gradual industrial commissioning of its various units. All told, it only took 20 months for AFYREN NEOXY to open its doors, on September 29, 2022. Perfectly operational and secure, the biorefinery has reached production start-up phase in the 2022 calendar year, as announced. AFYREN plans to gradually increase volumes ...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. The first and only pilot line of bio-aromatics from lignin in Europe was officially opened by Biorizon co-initiator VITO. With the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) project LignoValue Pilot, Biorizon co-initiator VITO, Worley Belgium and PMV realised a pilot line to demonstrate technologies to depolymerise lignin in a continuous process. The pilot plant allows proof-of-concepts of the different process steps to be delivered. The LignoValue Pilot is moreover located on a specialised site, where safety, material supply and product flow are guaranteed. The proximity of VITO, Flanders' sustainability research organisation, is a major asset. Press release: " LignoValue inaugurated: Europe’s first and only pilot line of bio-aromatics from lignin ", 06/10/2022. Related posts: " VITO will build a pilot plant of bio-aromatics from lignin through the LignoValue Pilot project ", 30/07/2018. Figure 1. VITO launches pilot line to produce ...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Technip Energies and MetGen Oy have announce a collaboration for the industrialization of METNIN® technology for the valorization of lignin. Lignin is a high-volume waste stream of biorefineries that is currently burned.  METNIN® is an enzymatic process technology that enables the fractionation of lignin from lignocellulosic feedstocks to produce various renewable bio-products. Technip Energies and MetGen have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly bring a standardized solution for lignin refining to the global market. Press release: " Technip Energies and MetGen Join Forces to Industrialize METNIN® Lignin Refining Technology ", 28/09/2022,

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Collaboration between Neste, Borealis and MAM brings new soother made with renewably-sourced feedstock to market. Press release: "Collaboration between Neste, Borealis and MAM brings new soother made with renewably-sourced feedstock to market", 21/09/2022. Figure 1. The new MAM Original Pure soother is composed of renewably-sourced polypropylene (PP) from the Borealis Bornewables™ portfolio of circular polyolefins, manufactured with Neste RE™ produced entirely from renewable raw materials. Source: © MAM MAM has been creating innovative and unique baby products such as soothers and baby bottles for more than 45 years, and has recently launched its first climate-neutral soother. The new MAM Original Pure soother is composed of renewably-sourced polypropylene (PP) from the Bornewables™ portfolio of circular polyolefins, manufactured with Neste RE™ produced entirely from renewable raw materials. The packaging of MAM Original Pure soother, which also...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. BASF and RiKarbon Inc., a U.S.-based technology start-up, have announced the signing of a partnership contract to exclusively license and commercialize proprietary technology from RiKarbon. Press release: " BASF announces innovation partnership with RiKarbon on emollients derived from bio-waste ", 21/09/2022. RiKarbon’s patented technology allows the upcycling of bio-waste into bio-based, biodegradable emollients for the global personal care market, supporting the industry’s drive to innovative sustainable solutions. RiKarbon has demonstrated the conversion of bio-waste to new unique emollient chemical structures, while quickly elevating the technology from the laboratory-scale to the pilot stage. This innovative technology manufactures a clear and odorless emollient imparting excellent soft and silky sensory properties to personal care formulations. BASF intends to bring the RiKarbon technology inhouse and is planning a market launch of the initi...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. LG Chem and ADM (held a signing ceremony launching two joint ventures for production of lactic acid and polylactic acid to meet growing demand for a wide variety of plant-based products, including bioplastics. Pending final investment decisions, the joint ventures have chosen Decatur (Illinois, USA) as the location of their intended production facilities. Press release: " LG Chem and ADM Launch Joint Ventures, Announce Intended Location for U.S. Production of Lactic Acid and Polylactic Acid Production ", 15/08/2022. Figure 1. ADM's North American headquarters in D ecatur The first joint venture, GreenWise Lactic, would produce up to 150,000 tons of high-purity corn-based lactic acid annually. ADM would be the majority owner of GreenWise, and would contribute fermentation capacity from its Decatur bioproducts facility to the venture. The second joint venture, LG Chem Illinois Biochem, would be majority-owned by LG Chem. It would build upon LG C...

Type of post: NEWS. On occasion of World Biofuels Day, Honourable Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modi ji unveiled first-of-its-kind and Asia’s first 2G ethanol biorefinery of IOCL at Panipat (Haryana, India). This 100 KLPD (kilolitres per day) plant based on Praj’s proprietary technology will transform rice straw into ethanol. Source: Press release provided by Praj (10/08/2022). Figure 1. Aerial view of the biorefinery About project: - The facility spans across 35 acres processing 2 lakh (200,000) tons of rice straw to produce 3 crores (30,000,000) liters of ethanol annually. - The commissioning of the biorefinery begun in the 1st week of August 2022 and commercial production of 2G Ethanol will commence within 90 days. Praj’s contributions: - Praj is Technology Licensor and EPCM Consultant for IOCL’s 2G ethanol biorefinery project. - Praj has deployed proprietary ‘enfinity’ technology, developed indigenously at its R&D center Praj Matrix, that processes different agricultural resi...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Aquafil and Genomatica successfully completed the first demonstration scale production runs for plant-based nylon-6. Press release: " Geno and Aquafil begin pre-commercial production for plant-based nylon-6 ", 20/07/2022. Related post: " Aquafil and Genomatica to build a demo plant to produce 100% renewable nylon-6 ", 20/11/2022. Figure 1. Aquafil and Genomatica begin pre-commercial production of biobased nylon-6 Geno and Aquafil have produced the first several tons of plant-based nylon-6 building block caprolactam, have converted it to nylon-6 polymer, and are now in the process of transforming it for evaluation in nylon applications such as yarns for textile and carpet and engineering plastics as part of pre-commercial quantities from demonstration production taking place in Europe.  The companies have been collaborating to first produce pilot-scale quantities of plant-based nylon-6 and have now advanced to produce pre-commercial quant...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Newlight Technologies and Long Ridge Energy Terminal (jointly owned by a subsidiary of Fortress Transportation and Infrastructure Investors LLC and an affiliate managed by GCM Grosvenor) have entered into various agreements providing for the construction and operation of a new facility in Ohio (Aircarbon-Ohio) to produce PHB, a biomaterial that the company calls Aircarbon. Press release: " Newlight and Long Ridge Sign Agreement to Build Aircarbon Production Facility in Ohio ", 14/07/2022. Figure 1. Aircarbon production facility in Ohio Founded in 2003, Newlight is the first company to directly transform greenhouse gases into PHB at commercial scale. Newlight launched its first commercial-scale Aircarbon production facility in 2020, and today Newlight's customers and partners include Shake Shack, Nike, Target, H&M, Ben & Jerry's, Sumitomo, US Foods, and Sysco, with millions of Aircarbon units delivered to consumers to date.  AirCarb...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Global Bioenergies has received its first order from Shell, to provide volumes of bio-isobutene derivatives for performance assessment. Press release: " Global Bioenergies secures first order from Shell for testing volumes of bio-isobutene derivatives ", 21/06/2022. Related posts: " Global Bioenergies takes a major step towards scaling up its isobutene production process ", 24/05/2021. Global Bioenergies has focused its strategy on the bioproduction of isobutene as this molecule is one of the main building blocks in the world of chemistry. Its derivatives can be used in a wide range of sectors from cosmetics and fine chemicals to commodities and fuels. The global market of isobutene reaches 15 million tons per year. Shell plans to explore the possibility of replacing current hydrocarbon-based isobutene and its derivatives with their equivalents from renewable resources, while maintaining the same level of performance. Global Bioenergies ...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Covestro , South Korean petrochemical company SK geo centric and Neste are cooperating to enable the production of a major polyurethane precursor based on renewable raw materials via mass balance.  Press release: " Covestro, SK geo centric and Neste cooperate to create value chain for renewable attributed MDI in APAC ", 20/06/2022. Figure 1.  First shipment of renewable benzene leaves the Ulsan harbour in South Korea (credits: SK geo centric)   The cooperation will see Neste provide SK geo centric with renewable Neste RE, an ISCC certified feedstock for polymers and chemicals made from 100% renewable raw materials such as waste and residue oil and fats.  SK geo centric will process this feedstock into benzene at the company’s facilities in South Korea and supply it to Covestro to use as raw material for methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) at its site in Shanghai (China). MDI is a key raw material for the manufacture of rigid polyuretha...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Amyris has successfully started operations at its new precision fermentation plant in Barra Bonita (Brazil). Press release: " Amyris Barra Bonita fermentation plant begins industrial production ", 23/06/2022. Figure 1. Amyris precision fermentation plant in Barra Bonita (taken from Amyris website) This first of its kind fermentation plant is a strategic investment made to meet rapidly growing demand for clean, sustainable, chemistry-based products for the beauty, personal care, health and wellness markets. The plant consists of five precision fermentation "mini-factories" capable of concurrently producing all 13 of Amyris' molecules currently in the market as well as future bio-fermented products. The plant's capacity is fully committed through the end of 2023 with the production of natural vanillin, sugarcane-based Reb M, squalene, hemisqualene and patchouli along with other molecules. The plant will allow Amyris to more efficie...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Unilever and Genomatica have launched a venture to scale and commercialise alternatives to palm oil and fossil fuel-derived cleansing ingredients. These are integral to the formulations of thousands of everyday cleaning and personal care products. With growing demand for sustainably-sourced palm oil, this venture aims to deliver additional responsibly sourced palm oil alternatives to the market. Press release: " Unilever and Geno launch $120m venture to scale alternative ingredients ", 16/06/2022. With $120m jointly invested in the newly-formed initiative, and with other strategic investors expected to join, the venture will develop an alternative, plant-based ingredient using biotechnology. The innovation is particularly relevant to cleaning and personal care products that require ingredients to lather and lift dirt. But at present, there are few viable alternatives to palm and fossil sources that can be produced at scale in order to make those i...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Within the ChemistryNL TKI co-funded ‘Biobased Surfactants for Tomorrow’s Sustainable Society’ project, TNO and Henkel jointly develop novel biobased surfactants. This offers a renewable alternative with the potential of improved performance and biodegradability in detergents. Press release: " Project: Biobased Surfactants for Tomorrow’s Sustainable Society ", 16/06/2020. Figure 1. Henkel and TNO to  jointly develop novel biobased surfactants (taken from the press release) Preliminary research by Biorizon co-initiator TNO revealed that the bio-based platform molecule furfural has great potential to serve as basis for desired renewable surfactants. Today, furfural is produced from residual hemicellulose streams at 400 kta and its market is expected to grow in view of its increasing application potential and the increasing availability of residual hemicellulose from established and upcoming biorefineries, which are seeking increased valorisation pot...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. A UK-based demonstration plant that generates industrial biotechnology sugars and other recycled material streams from the paper and card in mixed household waste has come online in May 2022.  Press release: " VAMOS demonstration plant moves the circular bioeconomy from waste a step closer ", 24/05/2022. The products will be used in the production of several high-performance bio-based materials. The South Wales-based plant’s commissioning marks the next phase of the innovative VAMOS (Value Added Materials from Organic Waste Sugars) project, set up to examine the feasibility of innovative resource recovery techniques to use municipal waste as a raw material feedstock for the circular and bio-based economy.  The project’s 11-strong European consortium secured €6,984,813 funding from Circular Bio-based Europe JU (formerly Bio Based Industries Joint Undertaking) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme. Next steps for ...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Worley has been awarded a front-end engineering and design (FEED) services contract by Alfanar for a low‑carbon fuels project in Teesside (UK). Press release: " Low-carbon fuels contract win in North East of England ", 03/06/2022. Alfanar’s Lighthouse Green Fuels project will convert residual solid waste into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and green naphtha. The project will process around 1 Mtons of residual solid waste every year (municipal solid waste, refuse-derived fuel or solid recovered fuel) into around 3,200 bbl/day of SAF and green naphtha.  The project aims to make fuel which produces 80% fewer GHG than current fossil fuels, which could potentially save over 300,000 tons of emissions each year. When coupled with carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology the plant could achieve in excess of 750,000 tons per year. The plant is expected to enter commercial operations in 2027, following the scheduled start-up of the first Department fo...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Will & Co.  (distributor of raw materials and chemicals in Europe) has announced a strategic collaboration with Checkerspot (a materials innovation company that develops sustainable high performing polyurethane systems enabled by unique structural oils from microalgae). Through this collaboration, Will & Co. and Checkerspot will work together to provide European partners with high performance polyurethane systems with high biocontent and attractive sustainability profiles. Press release: " Will & Co. Announces Strategic Collaboration to Bring Checkerspot’s Novel Biobased Materials and Algal Polyurethane Systems to European Product Innovators ", 07/06/2022.

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Following the completion of the purchase from DuPont, the Chinese Huafon Group has reincorporated former DuPont Biomaterials as a independent company under the name Covation Biomaterials. Press release: " Launch of Covation Biomaterials: delivering innovative, high-performance, bio-based materials at scale ", 01/06/2022. Related posts: " DuPont completes the expansion of the facility that produces its Sorona biopolymer in North Carolina ", 12/09/2018. The new company builds on a decades-long legacy and successful suite of products currently available in the market, including:  - Sorona®, a partially bio-based polymer that answers the global call for sustainably sourced carpets and fabrics; - Susterra®, a 100% plant-based, high-performance building block that reduces the need for petroleum-based components while enhancing end-product attributes. Its applications range from footwear and outdoor apparel to coatings, inks and functional flui...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. A consortium, including LanzaTech and Danone, led to the discovery of a new route to monoethylene glycol, (MEG), which is a key building block for polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Press release: " LanzaTech, with the support of Danone, Discovers Method to Produce Sustainable PET Bottles from Captured Carbon ", 26/05/2022. The technology converts carbon emissions from steel mills or gasified waste biomass directly into MEG. The carbon capture technology uses a proprietary engineered bacterium to convert carbon emissions directly into MEG through fermentation, bypassing the need for an ethanol intermediate, and simplifying the MEG supply chain. The direct production of MEG was proven at laboratory scale and the presence of MEG was confirmed by two external laboratories.

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. BTC Europe GmbH and NXTLEVVEL Biochem have signed an agreement on the distribution of biobased and biodegradable solvents derived from levulinic acid for the European market. Levulinic acid can serve as a versatile building block for chemicals and materials derived directly from biomass. Due to their broad solvency power, low volatility, high safety profile and biodegradability levulinate solvents offer a sustainable alternative to solvents based on fossil feedstock for a wide range of applications. Press release: " BTC Europe and NXTLEVVEL Biochem sign agreement to distribute biobased and biodegradable solvents throughout Europe ", 24/05/2021. Both companies seek to leverage their expertise and industrial know-how to respond to the high demand for more sustainable and low-emission products on the European market and enable customers to make more environmentally friendly decisions in their procurement and development processes. Through the coopera...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Dimeta B.V., the joint venture of SHV Energy and UGI International, has announced the intended location of its first commercial-scale renewable dimethyl ether (rDME) production plant at Teesworks in the United Kingdom (UK). This marks a major step forward for Dimeta on its commitment to bring rDME to Europe and the United States in 2024. Press release: " Dimeta Announces Intended Location for its First Commercial Scale rDME Production Plant inTeesworks, UK ", 17/05/2022. Dimeta plans to produce 50,000 tonnes/year of rDME at the Teesworks production facility located in the Teesside area, which is one of the UK’s leading industrial clusters for de-fossilisation. Pending approvals, this will bring additional investment and employment opportunities to the local area. Dimeta expects to create more than 250 new jobs during construction and more than 50 skilled full-time jobs during the operational phase, which is expected by the middle of 2024. This cr...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. A team of energy industry companies led by SGP BioEnergy together with the Government of Panama have announced the development of the world's largest biofuels production and distribution hub. Once complete in five years, Biorefineria Ciudad Dorada (Golden City Biorefinery), located in Colon and Balboa (Panama) will be the largest SAF production platform in the world producing 180,000 barrels per day (2.6 billion gallons per year) of advanced biofuels. Press release: " SGP BioEnergy Announces World's Largest Advanced Biofuel Production Facility ", 18/05/2022. Developed in partnership with private landowners, Panama Oil Terminals (POTSA) and the government of Panama, this project will repurpose existing facilities currently processing and storing 70% of the country's bunker fuel oil to the refinement and storage of biofuels derived from purpose grown plant oils, and waste fats and greases. It will immediately reduce the carbon output of ...