BioRefineries Blog

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Rayonier Advanced Materials (RYAM) has announced the introduction of a second generation (2G) ethanol product for Europe’s fast-growing biofuels market. Produced using wood-based feedstock (not in competition with food), RYAM bioethanol will have a ninety percent smaller carbon footprint compared to fossil fuel-based gasoline. Press release: “ Rayonier Advanced Materials Announces Investment In Second Generation Bioethanol Plant, An Important Step In Its BioFuture ”, 18/01/2022. Rayonier Advanced Materials’ biorefinery model captures residual sugars from its existing pulp process and converts the sugars into 2G bioethanol. This circular process, which utilizes a greater portion of the tree to create higher-value products, represents a more sustainable operating model. Designed to produce up to 21 million liters of bioethanol, construction on RYAM’s 2G production facility is scheduled to begin in the Spring of 2022 with commercial sales targeted for the Su...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Covestro and Genomatica have announced an important industry milestone to advance sustainability resulting from their partnership. The two companies have teamed to be the first to successfully produce significant volumes of a plant-based version of the chemical raw material HMDA (hexamethylene diamine). Press release: “ Covestro and Genomatica produce important chemical raw material using biotechnology ”, 19/01/2022. Figure 1. Covestro employee Mario Lopes in the pilot plant where Covestro produced significant quantities of the bio-based raw material HMDA for the first time (taken from the press release) HMDA, with a worldwide market of 2 million tons per year, is a key ingredient for a widely-used type of nylon (nylon-6,6), as well as an important component for raw materials for coatings and adhesives from Covestro. Up to now, HMDA has been manufactured from fossil feedstocks. Coatings and adhesives can be produced more sustainably thanks to bio-ba...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Solvay and Trillium Renewable Chemicals have signed a letter of intent to develop the supply chain for biobased acrylonitrile (bio-ACN). Press release: “ Solvay to collaborate with Trillium on bio-based acrylonitrile for carbon fiber applications ”, 12/12/2021. Figure 1. Bio-ACN – Sustainable carbon fiber from bio-based acrylonitrile Trillium will supply Solvay with bio-ACN from Trillium’s planned commercial asset, and Solvay will evaluate bio-ACN for carbon fiber manufacturing as part of its long-term commitment to developing sustainable solutions from bio-based or recycled sources. The aim of this partnership is to produce carbon fiber for use in various applications such as aerospace, automotive, energy, and consumer goods. Acrylonitrile is a chemical intermediate typically made from petroleum-based feedstocks like propylene and is the primary raw material used in the production of carbon fiber. Trillium’s Bio-ACN process delivers acrylonitrile f...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Evonik is investing a three-digit million-euro sum in the construction of a new production plant for biobased and fully biodegradable rhamnolipids. Rhamnolipids are biosurfactants and serve as active ingredients in shower gels and detergents. Demand for environmentally friendly surfactants is growing rapidly worldwide. Press release: “ Evonik builds world's first industrial-scale production plant for rhamnolipids ”, 14/12/2021. Figure 1. Schematic representation of the production of biosurfactants The investment at the Slovenská Ľupča site in Slovakia strengthens Evonik's partnership with the consumer goods group Unilever, which began in 2019. At the same time the investment allows Evonik to further expand its own market position in the growth market for biosurfactants. The new plant is scheduled to come on stream in two years. Rhamnolipids are produced by fermentation of sugar. Fossil carbon and tropical fats, which have so far been used to pr...

English version Tipo de entrada: NOTICIA BREVE. Origin Materials y Mitsui han creado una asociación estratégica para industrializar productos químicos y materiales avanzados con emisiones de carbono negativas. Nota de prensa: “ Origin Materials and Mitsui Form Strategic Partnership to Industrialize Advanced Carbon-Negative Chemicals and Materials ”, 13/12/2021. Entrada relacionada: “ La construcción de la primera biorrefinería de Origin Materials progresa según lo programado ”, 10/01/2021. Esta asociación estratégica tiene como objetivo desarrollar e industrializar rápidamente nuevos productos sostenibles con emisiones negativas de carbono para las industrias de la automoción, química, electrónica, del envasado, textil, de la construcción y del cuidado personal, basadas en la plataforma tecnológica patentada de Origin Materials. Los socios aprovecharán la fortaleza de la cadena de suministro global de Mitsui, el acceso a los mercados japoneses e internacionales y el liderazgo en in...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Origin Materials and Mitsui have formed a strategic partnership to industrialize advanced carbon-negative chemicals and materials. Press release: “ Origin Materials and Mitsui Form Strategic Partnership to Industrialize Advanced Carbon-Negative Chemicals and Materials ”, 13/12/2021. Related post: “ The construction of the first biorefinery of Origin Materials is on track for completion by the end of 2022 ”, 10/01/2021. This strategic partnership aims to rapidly develop and industrialize new sustainable carbon-negative products for the automotive, chemicals, electronics, packaging, textiles, construction, and personal care industries, based on Origin Materials’ patented technology platform. The partnership will leverage Mitsui’s global supply chain strength, access to Japanese and international markets, and leadership in business innovation. As part of the partnership, Mitsui signed a multi-year capacity reservation agreement to purc...

English version PLATAFORMAS DE BIORREFINERÍA Concepto - El aceite de pirólisis, también conocido como biopetróleo o petróleo biobasado, se obtiene por la descomposición termoquímica de la biomasa sólida en ausencia de oxígeno para evitar la combustión. - La composición y características del aceite de pirólisis pueden variar dependiendo de varios factores: materia prima, tipo de reactor, condiciones de operación… Pero, es posible resaltar algunas características comunes: aspecto entre marrón rojizo oscuro y verde oscuro y olor acre característico a humo; baja viscosidad; altamente corrosivo por su bajo pH; inestable debido a la polimerización de varios compuestos (fenómeno de envejecimiento que provoca un aumento de la viscosidad y una disminución de la volatilidad); miscible con disolventes polares pero totalmente inmiscible con petróleo fósil debido a su naturaleza polar; bajo contenido en cetanos (entre 10 y 25). - Al ser el resultado directo de la descomposición térmica de la bio...

Versión en Español BIOREFINERY PLATFORMS Concept - Pyrolysis oil, also known as bio-oil or biobased oil, results from the thermochemical decomposition of solid biomass in the absence of oxygen in order to avoid combustion. - The composition and characteristics of the pyrolysis oil may vary depending on several factors: feedstock, type of reactor, operating conditions… But, it is possible to highlight some common features: dark red-brown to dark green appearance and characteristic acrid smoke odor; low viscosity; highly corrosive due to its low pH; unstable due to the polymerization of various compounds (ageing phenomenon that causes an increase in viscosity and a decrease in volatility); miscible with polar solvents but totally immiscible with fossil oil due to its polar nature; low content in cetanes (between 10 and 25). - As it is the direct result of the thermal decomposition of biomass, its elemental analysis is much more similar to it than to fossil oil. It is composed of comple...