BioRefineries Blog

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...