BioRefineries Blog

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Octarine Bio and Ginkgo Bioworks have announced a multi-stage partnership focused on compounds in the tryptophan pathway, with the objective of engineering a strain for producing violacein and its derivatives, a naturally occurring bis-indole pigment with potent bioactive properties including anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, and UV protective properties. Although initially focused on violacein, the collaboration has the potential to expand to other tryptophan-derived compounds, each with their own unique applications. Press release: " Octarine Bio and Ginkgo Bioworks Announce Partnership to Produce Natural Colors ", 09/05/2023. The vast majority of textiles are still produced with synthetic colors and dyes derived from fossil fuels, a practice that has been linked to negative effects to human health and the environment. According to the United National Environmental Program and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, fabric dyeing and treatment produces abo...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Origin Materials  and Indorama Ventures  have signed a strategic memorandum of understanding to explore initiatives related to the rapid commercialization of low-carbon, biobased materials. Initiatives include evaluating the use of existing Indorama Ventures’ units in the United States with some modification to commercially produce biobased materials. Under this arrangement, Indorama Ventures would convert derivatives of Origin Materials’ platform chemical CMF (chloromethylfurfural) into various sustainable chemicals and biobased plastics. Press release: " Origin Materials and Indorama Ventures Announce a Strategic Partnership to Accelerate the Mass Production of Bio-Based Materials ",  09/05/2023. Under the MOU, the companies will also study the potential to use production samples of biobased materials in limited-volume product launches in partnership with high-profile brands. The materials could potentially be used in packaging, textiles, fi...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Technip Energies announces the award of a contract for the Front End Engineering Design (FEED) phase of LanzaTech’s DRAGON Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Project based on LanzaJet Alcohol to Jet (ATJ) Technology, on track to be one of the first commercial SAF facilities in the UK. Press release: " Technip Energies Wins Contract from LanzaTech UK Ltd, for a Sustainable Aviation Fuel Facility ", 12/04/2023. LanzaTech UK’s DRAGON SAF Project has been awarded supplemental funding through The UK Department for Transport’s Advanced Fuel Fund to help decarbonise aviation fuel in the UK. The flagship facility, to be located in Port Talbot, Wales, will uniquely use feedstock (ethanol) derived from local waste sources, bringing circularity to the project’s green credentials. The development, which is expected to produce 79 KTA (thousand Tonnes per Annum) (ca.100million litres/year) of SAF will deploy LanzaJet’s proprietary ATJ technology. T.EN’s proprieta...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Lummus Technology and Citroniq Chemicals have signed a letter of intent for the development of Citroniq’s green polypropylene (PP) projects in North America. These projects will use Lummus’ VerdeneTM PP technology suite. Press release: " Lummus and Citroniq Sign Letter of Intent for Green Polypropylene Projects ", 25/04/2023. Citroniq and Lummus are creating the first world-scale sustainable bio-polypropylene production process in North America. The first plant will sequester about 1.2 MM tons of CO2 annually as solid polypropylene pellets, providing customers an impactful solution for reducing their carbon footprint and meeting their ESG goals.  With a projected investment of over US $5 billion and a combined PP annual capacity of over 3.5 billion pounds, Citroniq is prepared to execute a rapid expansion plan of its E2O process, to meet the market’s growing need for sustainable, carbon negative polypropylene at a competitive price.

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Gevo and LG Chem have entered into a joint development agreement to develop bio-propylene for renewable chemicals using Gevo’s Ethanol-to-Olefins (ETO) technology. Press release: " GEVO ENTERS JOINT DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT WITH LG CHEM TO DEVELOP BIO-PROPYLENE ", 12/04/2023. Gevo’s proprietary ETO technology can target carbon neutral or carbon negative drop-in replacements for traditional petroleum-based building blocks called olefins, including bio-propylene, that can be used for renewable chemicals or fuels including sustainable aviation fuel. These plant-based, renewable olefins would be derived from atmospheric CO2 captured through photosynthesis and are expected to deliver the same performance in final products on the market today. Under the terms of the Agreement, Gevo will provide the core enabling technology it has developed for renewable olefins to be produced from low-carbon ethanol and together the parties will collaborate to accelerate t...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Based on significant advancements over the past 5 years, Fibenol is now starting up its first lignocellulosic biorefinery in Imavere. The recalcitrant lignocellulosic structures are effectively opened with a combination of Sunburst™ pre-treatment technology and tailored enzymatic cocktails from Novozymes. This combination provides more than 90% conversion of birch wood processing residues into high-quality cellulosic sugars and co-products, including high-purity lignin. Press release: " Novozymes & Fibenol have entered a commercial partnership to demonstrate lignocellulosic biorefining on an industrial scale ", 02/04/2023.