BioRefineries Blog

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. NovoNutrients general carbon capture process upcycles approximately two tons of carbon dioxide for every ton of protein-rich ingredient. By utilizing carbon dioxide and renewable energy through gas fermentation, this biomanufacturing platform offers advantages of cost savings, scalability, and sustainability over conventional production, contributing to a greener future enriched by the vibrant hues of carotenoids. It enables the sale of natural carotenoids at synthetic price levels. Press release: " NovoNutrients to Reshape $2.3B Carotenoids Market with Innovative Carbon Capture Technology ", 27/03/2023 . Carotenoids function as antioxidants and are natural pigments found primarily in plants and marine organisms, creating bright colors, like the orange in carrots or the red in tomatoes. Specific carotenoids offer additional palatability and other benefits to humans, dogs, cats, and fish, contributing to good vision, immune system function, and ove...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Groupe Berkem has announced the completion of the acquisition of Biopress, a French producer of 100% natural vegetable oils and proteins.  With this acquisition, Groupe Berkem is consolidating its offering in the "Health, Beauty & Nutrition" area of expertise and more specifically in the cosmetics market thanks to the virtues of its oils and the nutraceutical market because of the benefits provided by plant proteins. Press release: " Strategic acquisition by Groupe Berkem of Biopress, a French producer of 100% vegetable oils and proteins ", 03/04/2023.

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Ampol Limited (Ampol) and ENEOS have  announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore the production of advanced biofuels at the Lytton refinery in Brisbane, Australia. Press release: " Ampol and ENEOS Partner to Explore Advanced Biofuels Production in Queensland ", 23/03/2023. The parties have also executed a separate MoU with the Queensland Government and will continue to engage with the state as work progresses to discuss investment and project development as part of the Queensland Biofutures 10-Year Roadmap. Ampol and ENEOS will jointly explore the feasibility of delivering an advanced biofuels manufacturing facility with the capacity to generate up to 500 million litres of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel annually. Initial work will consider the use of agricultural, animal and other waste feedstocks prevalent in the Queensland market and seek to leverage the use of existing refinery manufacturing an...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Stora Enso and Kolon Industries have signed a Joint Development Agreement to develop and industrialise bio-based polyesters and their applications, as well as renewable binder resin formulations. Application areas can cover, for example, packaging, car tire reinforcements, and films for high value-added products such as electronics, panels and displays. The development work will combine FuraCore® by Stora Enso – a proprietary process for converting fructose into FDCA (Furandicarboxylic acid) via HMF (5-hydroxymethylfurfural) – and Stora Enso’s expertise in the packaging industry with Kolon Industries’ leading expertise in polyester and phenolic resin development as well as manufacturing for a range ofm applications.

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. I EA Bioenergy Task 39 (transport biofuels) commissioned India to lead a study on “Feedstock-to-biofuels”, especially a biomass supply chain assessment for the production of 2nd Generation (2G) ethanol, to help understand the developments in India and other groups/member countries. The study mainly focussed on biomass availability, prevalent biomass supply chain approaches, and different process schemes, including the type of pretreatment technologies used by 2G ethanol technology developers. Furthermore, the study included life cycle analysis and environmental impact assessment to identify the GHG emissions and energy consumption hotspots during the lignocellulosic bioethanol production process. Study: " Feedstock to Biofuels: Opportunities for advanced biofuels - Supply chain analysis and reduction in CAPEX/OPEX ". Press release: " Feedstock to Biofuels Opportunities for advanced biofuel ".

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. L'Oréal  has announced a new investment in a venture led by Geno  to create sustainable alternatives to key ingredients in beauty products. L'Oréal will be a founding member of the venture alongside Unilever and Kao. Press release: " BIOTECHNOLOGY VENTURE TO SCALE DEVELOPMENT OF PLANT-BASED INGREDIENTS FOR SUSTAINABLE BEAUTY ", 21/03/2023. The investment, made through L'Oréal's corporate venture fund, BOLD, will support the creation of new, sustainable ingredients derived from living organisms. Through Geno’s biotechnology expertise, L’Oréal will replace traditional ingredients with bio-based alternatives, such as those made from plant-based sugars. These new ingredients will be used across various L’Oréal products, making a significant leap towards the company’s goal of 100% eco-designed formulas and ingredients that are 95%-derived from renewable or abundant sources.