BioRefineries Blog

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...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Mercurius Biorefining has finalised commissioning and is about to commence operations at their pilot plant at QUT 's Biocommodities Facility in Mackay (Australia) that will use Mercurius' patented REACH technology to produce renewable chemicals, diesel and jet fuel from sugarcane waste. Press release: “ Mackay biorefinery pilot plant ready for take-off ”, 13/10/2021. Related posts: - “ Mercurius Biorefining plans to establish pilot and demo plants in Queensland ”, 23/02/2018. - “ QUT receives funding to commercialise biorefinery products ”, 19/09/2019. Figure 1. Darryn Rackemann (QUT) and Karl Seck (Mercurius) examining the feedstock Karl Seck (CEO at Mercurius) has been in Mackay assisting in site preparations for the pilot equipment installation and commissioning. QUT will be looking into the commercial opportunities from the REACH technology which could lead to producing renewable fuels and chemicals in Queensland crea...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. BioPhero has commissioned a pilot fermentation unit to test and produce larger quantities of pheromones at its headquarters in Copenhagen. Press release: “ BioPhero commissions fermentation unit ”, 19/08/2021. Figure 1. The new fermentation facility was inaugurated by Steen Riisgaard, Vice Chair of Novo Holdings (taken from the press release) The unit is a key element in its efforts to deliver pheromones to the market using its fermentation platform. The in-house pilot capability will both accelerate development of fermentation processes for new pheromones and production of pheromone samples for customers. BioPhero produces biological pheromone solutions to affordable and environmentally friendly control of agricultural pests. It produces its pheromones using renewable raw materials in a single fermentation step using yeasts. The process, which is similar to brewing beer, allows pheromone solutions to be used by growers at a cost ...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGen, not-for-profit organization that leads Canada’s Advanced Manufacturing Supercluster) has announced 6 M$ in collaborative funding for a project, coordinated by Genecis Bioindustries Inc. (Genecis, Canadian biotechnology company), to develop, scale and integrate a novel biotechnology platform to transform food waste into sustainable bioplastics. Press release: “ Genecis Receives Funding from NGen to Scale Sustainable Bioplastic Production from Organic Waste ”, 27/07/2021. Figure 1. The demonstration project will occur at the StormFisher Resource Recovery Centre in Drumbo (Ontario) designed to recycle discarded packaged food and municipal green bin waste Genecis, in partnership with StormFisher (a developer and operator of organic waste and clean energy solutions), will integrate a demonstration-scale technology unit with an anaerobic digestion (AD) plant to convert organic waste feedsto...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS. Global Bioenergies has taken a major step towards scaling up its isobutene bio-production process and is setting up a new supply chain to sell high value-added ingredients to cosmetics sector players from 2022. Press release: “ Global Bioenergies: production scale-up ”, 17/05/2021. Related posts: - “ Global Bioenergies starts scale-up of a process to transform renewable resources into acetone and isopropanol ”, 12/12/2017. - “ Global Bioenergies and IBN-One receive 3.1 M€ to move forward on its renewable isobutene plant project ”, 07/10/2019. Over the past few months, Global Bioenergies has developed a new version of its isobutene process, now comprising two consecutive stages. The first step covering the entire chain up until isobutene precursor can now be done using existing fermentation capacities in order to produce very large volumes. This improvement makes the manufacturing process more flexible and economically efficient. Only the sec...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Avantium has completed the application validation for its biobased glycols produced in the Ray Technology demo plant in Delfzijl. Key applications include polymerisation to PEF and PET polyesters and functional fluids used for de-icing and heat transfer. Press release: “ Avantium successfully produces polyesters with its plantMEG™ from the Ray Technology™ demonstration plant ”, 24/03/2021. Related post: “ Avantium opens its bio-MEG demo plant and rebrands the technology as Ray ”, 08/11/2019. Figure 1. Avantium successfully produces polyesters with biobased MEG from its Ray demo plant Avantium aims to commercialise its proprietary Ray Technology, which is used to produce MEG (monoethylene glycol, brand name: plantMEG) and MPG (monopropylene glycol, brand name: plantMPG). Both plantMEG and plantMPG are expected to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to their fossil-based equivalents. In 2020, the company successf...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS. A large-scale demonstration converting biocrude to renewable diesel fuel has passed a significant test, operating for more than 2,000 hours continuously without losing effectiveness. Scientists and engineers led by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) conducted the research to show that the process is robust enough to handle many kinds of raw material without failing. Press release: “ Biocrude Passes the 2,000-hour Catalyst Stability Test ”, 25/03/2021. Figure 1. Basic flow diagram of the whole process (Illustration by Michael Perkins, PNNL) The initial step in the process is called hydrothermal liquefaction. Wet wastes from sewage treatment and discarded food can provide the raw materials for this innovative process, which converts and concentrates carbon-containing molecules into a liquid biocrude. Just as crude oil from petroleum sources must be refined to be used in vehicles, this biocrude needs ...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Metsä Spring (Metsä Group’s innovation company) and Valmet are building a demo plant in Äänekoski that will manufacture new fibre products for food packaging and other purposes. Press release: “ Construction of Metsä Spring and Valmet’s demo plant for 3D fibre products progressing ”, 23/03/2021. Images of the construction of the demo plant. Related post: “ Metsä Spring and Valmet to construct a pilot plant to manufacture wood-based 3D fibre products ”, 21/08/2020. Figure 1. Construction of demo plant for fibre-based products in Finland is progressing on target (taken from the press release) The demo plant reached its full height on 23 March 2021 with construction work proceeding as planned. The main equipment delivered by Valmet will be installed in the autumn 2021, and the first test runs should begin at the end of 2021 (approximately 12 months after the start of the construction). The demo plant will manufacture wood-based pa...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS. OMV (oil, gas and chemicals company headquartered in Vienna) plans to build a pilot plant at its Schwechat Refinery using a patented process developed inhouse. After more than five years of research, OMV is investing in the ‘Glycerin2Propanol’ process to transform glycerin into propanol. Press release: “ OMV invests in 2nd-generation biofuel production ”, 04/03/2021. Related post: “ AustroCel and OMV start cooperation on 2G ethanol ”, 28/12/2020. Figure 1. The Glycerin2Propanol pilot plant will be built beside the ReOil® plant (photo: OMV) Name Glycerin2Propanol. Location It will be built at the Schwechat Refinery beside the ReOil® plant so that both units can utilize a single measuring station, exploiting synergic effects through a shared-operator concept. Investment 30 M€. Of this, around 6.9 M€ will come from the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG). Another source...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF.  The Government of Quebec, within the framework of the Technoclimat program, has awarded 5,943,000 CA$ to Bioenergy La Tuque (BELT) to demonstrate the pre-commercial potential of producing biofuels from residual forest biomass.  Press release: “ Québec accorde 5,94 M$ à Bioénergie La Tuque: un pas de plus vers la production de carburants renouvelables à base de résidus forestiers ”, 30/11/2020.  Related post: “ BELT and Neste to study the feasibility of producing renewable diesel from forest residues in La Tuque ”, 09/02/2017.   Technoclimat is an energy and greenhouse gas emission reduction innovation support program which offers financial support to project promoters who intend to demonstrate the potential of their technological innovations. The first call for projects of the specific part of the production of bioenergy was launched on February 19 to support pre-commercial innovations.  BELT is a non-profi...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF.  Genomatica has signed a deal with Aquafil to build a demonstration scale facility to produce 100% renewable nylon-6. The deal is a 50-fold expansion over previous production levels and represents significant acceleration toward commercializing renewably nylon-6.  Press release: " Genomatica to Scale Bio-nylon 50-Fold with Aquafil to Meet Surging Brand Demand " , 19/11/2020.  Related posts:  - “ Aquafil and Genomatica come together to develop sustainable caprolactam for bio-nylon products ”, 26/01/2018.  - “ Genomatica produces the world’s first ton of renewable nylon intermediate ”, 03/02/2020.  Figure 1. Aquafil and Genomatica to build a demonstration scale facility to produce 100% renewable nylon-6 (taken from the video “Remaking nylon – Genomatica’s program for more sustainable apparel and carpet”)  This multi-year agreement provides the foundation for a more sustainable nylon value chain by e...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF.  Braskem and Haldor Topsoe have achieved their first-ever demo-scale production of biobased monoethylene glycol (MEG) in Lyngby (Denmark), confirming potential for large-scale production using the MOSAIK™ technology.  Press release: “ Braskem and Haldor Topsoe achieve first production of bio-based MEG from sugar ”, 24/11/2020.  Related posts:  - “ Braskem and Haldor Topsoe to validate new bio-MEG production process in a demo plant ”, 13/11/2017.  - “ Braskem and Haldor Topsoe commission their bio-MEG demo plant ”, 19/02/2019.   Figure 1. Braskem and Haldor Topsoe start production of biobased MEG at their demo plant in Lyngby (taken from the press release)   The unit was started up in 2019 with the primary goal to demonstrate all key design features of the technology that transforms sugar into renewable MEG. Since then, the remaining process units of the plant have been built and put into opera...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF.  Arbiom (biotechnology company developing solutions to convert wood into protein for feed and food applications) has successfully achieved a critical milestone in its Demonstration Program by completing continuous, stable operation of its fermentation technology over a seven-day period without contamination or product quality issues.  Press release: “ Arbiom achieves milestone in scale-up of Wood-to-Food Technology ”, 7/10/2020.   Figure 1. Arbiom Wood-to-Food platform technology (taken from the company website)  Throughout the Demonstration Program, fermentation and downstream process stages ran smoothly and continuously, to successfully produce over a half-ton of SylPro (a nutritional, sustainable protein-rich ingredient for feed and food applications) which exceeded Arbiom’s initial target. To complete the continuous run, Arbiom worked with Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant (BBEPP), a partner in the SYLFEED Cons...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF.  The PYRENA-PYPO pilot plant has arrived at Biorizon headquarters at the Green Chemistry Campus in Bergen op Zoom (Netherlands). With this highly advanced pyrolysis equipment, TNO's Energy Transition Unit will produce samples of bio-aromatics that will be tested in applications such as bitumen, rubber, marine fuels and resins.  Press release: “ TNO brings PYRENA-PYPO pyrolysis equipment to Green Chemistry Campus’ demo facility ”, 8/10/2020.  Related posts:  - “ Biorizon raises 10 M€ for the development of bio-aromatics ”, 1/12/2017.  - “ VITO will build a pilot plant of bio-aromatics from lignin through the LignoValue Pilot project ”, 30/7/2018.  - “ LignoValue Pilot project partners select the technology to scale up bio-aromatics production ”, 2/7/2019.  - “ TNO acquires the bio-aromatics patent portfolio of Avantium ”, 25/2/2020.  Figure 1. The PYRENA-PYPO pilot plant has arrived at Biorizon head...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS.   Five water boards ( Brabantse Delta , De Dommel , Hollandse Delta , Scheldestromen and Wetterskip Fryslân ), STOWA (Foundation for Applied Water Research), Paques (technology company focused on biological wastewater and gas treatment) and HVC (sustainable waste and energy company) have signed an agreement to build a pilot plant in Dordrecht (Netherlands) for the production of PHBV, a biodegradable and sustainable bioplastic.  Press release: “ Pilot plant for the production of uniquely degradable bioplastic has started ”, 30/9/2020.   Figure 1. The cooperation partners from left to right: Theo Schots (Brabantse Delta), Leo Stehouwer (Hollandse Delta), Gert van Kralingen (Scheldestromen), Paul Koemans (De Dommel) (replaced Jan Verhoeven), Otto van der Galiën (Wetterkip Fryslân), Stephan Bocken (Paques), Joost Buntsma (STOWA), Ronald Hopman (HVC). They are standing above the active bacteria of the wastewater treatment, which wi...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF.  The National Science and Technology Development Agency Thailand (NSTDA) has contracted Glatt for the conceptual and basic design phases for a GMP biorefinery.  Press release: “ Glatt engineering project for GMP biorefinery of NSTDA in Thailand ”, 04/09/2020.  Related post: “ Thai NSTDA to invest in a pilot biorefinery ”, 26/8/2019.  Figure 1. GMP biorefinery building within the complex BIOPOLIS complex (taken from the press release)   The NSTDA is implementing the Government’s Thailand 4.0 initiative to promote strategic biotechnology growth at the country’s Eastern Economic Corridor of Innovation (EECi). One part of this new BIOPOLIS complex is the GMP Biorefinery Pilot Plant at EECi, for which German company Glatt Ingenieurtechnik was selected to provide the engineering services. The contract between NSTDA and Glatt comprises the conceptual and basic design phases for the GMP Biorefinery.  The main ob...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF.  The Swedish Government has invested 350 MSEK (nearly 34 M€) for RISE (Research Institutes of Sweden) to upgrade their biorefining test beds and pilot facilities.  Press release: “ 350 miljoner till RISE för att modernisera och komplettera testbäddar för bioraffinaderier runt om i Sverige ”, 14/9/2020.   Figure 1. CNF / MFC (Cellulose NanoFibrils / MicroFibrillated Cellulose) pilot at Innventia, one of the Research Institutes of Sweden (taken from “ RISE bioeconomy pilot and demo facilities ”)  In the autumn budget, the Swedish Government has considered an investment over two years (200 MSEK in 2021 and 150 MSEK in 2022) by the Swedish Government to intensify work on sustainable solutions in the bioeconomy. Over the past decade, a number of R&D projects in the biorefining field have placed Sweden at the forefront when it comes to technologies, processes and products in the early development phase. However, majo...

English version Tipo de entrada: NOTICIA BREVE.  Bloom Biorenewables , empresa que transfiere tecnologías de vanguardia desarrolladas en universidades suizas para hacer de la biomasa una verdadera alternativa al petróleo, ha conseguido 2,9 M€ en financiación inicial con una inversión liderada por Yokogawa Electric Corporation , líder mundial en automatización de industrias procesos de producción. La inversión se utilizará para completar un proyecto piloto de fraccionamiento de biomasa y asegurar acuerdos de preventa con actores de las industrias textil, de envases y fragancias en toda Europa.  Nota de prensa: “ Bloom Biorenewables secures 2.9M€ fundraising to prove biomass valorization at pilot scale and signs partnership agreement with Yokogawa ”, 20/8/2020.  Figura 1. Bloom Biorenewables obtiene fondos para completar un proyecto piloto de fraccionamiento de biomasa (tomado de la página web de la empresa)  Bloom y Yokogawa también firmaron un acuerdo de coopera...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Bloom Biorenewables , company which transfers state-of-the-art technologies developed in Swiss Universities to make biomass a true alternative to petroleum, has secured 2.9 M€ in seed funding with lead investment from Yokogawa Electric Corporation , a worldwide leader in automation of industrial production processes. The investment will be used to complete a biomass fractionation pilot project and secure pre-sales agreements with players from textile, packaging and fragrances industries across Europe.  Press release: “ Bloom Biorenewables secures 2.9M€ fundraising to prove biomass valorization at pilot scale and signs partnership agreement with Yokogawa ”, 20/8/2020.  Figure 1. Bloom Biorenewables secures funding to complete a biomass fractionation pilot project (taken from the company website)   Bloom and Yokogawa also signed a cooperation agreement on the commercialization of Bloom’s breakthrough technology. Bloom’s pa...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF.  Metsä Spring ( Metsä Group ’s innovation company) and Valmet have decided to continue the development collaboration related to 3D fibre products and to invest jointly approximately 20 M€ in a new R&D project. As part of this project, a greenfield pilot plant will be built on Metsä Group’s mill site in Äänekoski (Finland).  Press release: “ Metsä Spring and Valmet construct a pilot plant in Äänekoski to develop a significant new added-value product for the forest industry ”, 20/8/2020.  Related post: “ Fortum and Metsä Group launch a joint R&D programme to convert pulp fibre into novel bioproducts ”, 25/6/2020.  Figure 1. Metsä Spring and Valmet to construct a pilot plant to produce wood-based 3D fibre products (taken from the press release)  Location Metsä Group’s mill site in Äänekoski (Finland). Feedstock Renewable, sustainably-grown and pure Finnis...