BioRefineries Blog

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Viridos Inc. (previously Synthetic Genomics) has signed a joint agreement with ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company with the intent to bring Viridos’ low-carbon intensity biofuels toward commercial levels. Press release: “ Viridos Executes Agreement with ExxonMobil to Help Scale Algae Biofuels ”, 08/11/2021. Figure 1. Viridos and ExxonMobil to scale-up algae biofuels production (taken from the website of the company) ExxonMobil is continuing this collaboration with Viridos to bring sustainable algae biofuels technology closer to commercial deployment. The recent productivity advances in Viridos’ technology are an opportunity to turn CO2 into renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuels. In this next phase of the program, they intend to broaden participation and invite others to build the ecosystem required for full-scale deployment. With the support of ExxonMobil, Viridos developed the California Advanced Algal Facility (CA...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Låkril Technologies has licensed catalyst technology from the University of Minnesota to convert corn-derived lactic acid to biobased acrylics that provide at least 35% CO2 emission reduction when comparing to petroleum-derived acrylics. Press release: “ Låkril Technologies Launches Business to Convert Lactic Acid to Sustainable Bio-based Acrylics ”, 08/11/2021. Related posts: “ Biobased acrylic acid ”, 05/05/2021. Figure 1. Låkril Technologies to commercialize biobased acrylics technology (taken from the website of the company) Låkril Technologies aims to commercialize sustainable acrylics at prices that compete with traditional refining approaches based on fossil sources. According to the company, its thermochemical technology provides outstanding yields of biobased based acrylics from lactic acid allowing it to achieve competitive economics with petroleum-based products. This bioacrylics technology breakthrough was invented at the...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Origin Materials, Inc has successfully lifted and installed all its previously fabricated key production modules for its first manufacturing plant (“Origin 1”) in October 2021, six months ahead of schedule. The construction of Origin 1 is on budget and on track for completion by the end of 2022, with commissioning and production start-up beginning thereafter. Press release: “ Origin Materials Completes Lifting and Installation of Key Production Modules for Origin 1 Six Months Ahead of Plan ”, 28/10/2021. Related posts: “ NaturALL Bottle Alliance (Danone, Nestlé Waters and Origin Materials) to build a pioneer bio-PET plant ”, 06/03/2017. Figure 1. The construction of the first biorefinery of Origin Materials is on track for completion by the end of 2022 Headquartered in West Sacramento, Origin has developed a platform for turning the carbon found in non-food biomass such as sustainable wood residues into useful materials while capturi...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Yosemite Clean Energy (Yosemite) has announced that it has secured the site for developing its first renewable hydrogen and renewable natural gas (RNG) production plant in Oroville (California, USA) with groundbreaking scheduled for Q2 of 2022. Press release: “ Yosemite Clean Energy Has Secured Their First Plant Site Commercial Scale Carbon-Negative Biofuels from Waste Wood, Stewarding California Forests and Farmland ”, 28/10/2021. Figure 1. Yosemite Clean Energy logo Yosemite will sustainably convert waste woody biomass into syngas, from which carbon negative renewable hydrogen and RNG is produced using downstream technology already widely commercialized in the US. Yosemite's biofuels production facilities will utilize the gasification technology of Repotec . The Oroville plant will be the flagship dual-bed gasification facility in the Americas, following over 100,000 hours of commercial run-time across developed plants in E...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. ADM and Gevo have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to support the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and other low carbon-footprint hydrocarbon fuels. Press release: “ ADM, Gevo Sign MoU to Produce up to 500M Gallons of Sustainable Aviation Fuel ”, 25/10/2021. Related posts: - “ Alcohol-To-Fuel ”, 02/07/2018. - “ Gevo and Axens join forces for the development of Sustainable Aviation Fuel projects in USA ”, 13/10/2021. Figure 1. ADM and Gevo join forces to produce sustainable aviation fuel The MoU contemplates the production of both ethanol and isobutanol that would then be transformed into renewable low carbon-footprint hydrocarbons, including SAF , using Gevo’s processing technology and capabilities. About 900 million gallons of ethanol produced at ADM’s mills (Columbus, Cedar Rapids and Decatur) are expected to be transformed into approximately 500 million gallons of SAF and other renewable hydrocarbons. T...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Gevo and Axens have entered into an agreement that establishes a strategic alliance aimed at accelerating the commercialization of sustainable ethanol-to-jet (ETJ) projects in the United States. Press release: “ Gevo and Axens Ink Alliance for Ethanol-to-Jet Technology and Sustainable Aviation Fuel Commercial Project Development ”, 12/10/2021. Related posts: “ Gevo intends to build a renewable fuels production plant in Lake Preston ”, 07/01/2021. Figure 1. Gevo and Axens join forces for Sustainable Aviation Fuel project development in USA As part of the alliance, Axens brings: technologies with over 60 related patents; engineering packages; proprietary catalysts; and certain proprietary equipment required to convert ethanol into jet fuel. Axens would also provide process guarantees for commercial ETJ projects. Gevo expects to develop, own and operate ETJ plants to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), utilizing: its expertise ...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. A.P. Moller – Maersk , through its corporate venture arm Maersk Growth , has invested in California-based WasteFuel (a start-up focused on turning waste into sustainable aviation fuel, biomethanol and renewable natural gas) to develop green methanol production. Press release: “ Maersk invests in WasteFuel to develop green bio-methanol production in the Americas and Asia ”, 08/09/2021. Related posts: “ WasteFuel Philippines is evaluating the feasibility of a waste-to-fuel project in Luzon ”, 27/05/2021. Figure 1. Maersk invests in WasteFuel to develop renewable methanol production Maersk’s investment will enable WasteFuel to develop biorefineries to produce sustainable fuels from unrecoverable waste that would otherwise degrade, and release methane and other harmful emissions into the atmosphere. Maersk is confident that biobased methanol is one of the promising fuels of the future and it can play an important role in decarbonis...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. ADM and LG Chem have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore US-based production of lactic acid to meet growing demand for a wide variety of plant-based products, including bioplastics. Press release: “ ADM, LG Chem Expand Relationship with MoU For US Production of Lactic Acid and Polylactic Acid for Bioplastics, Other Plant-Based Solutions ”, 14/09/2021. Figure 1. The MoU was signed by ADM Chairman and CEO Juan Luciano and LG Chem Vice Chairman and CEO Hak Cheol Shin at ADM’s global headquarters in Chicago Under the terms of the agreement, the two companies plan to take steps toward launching a joint venture in early 2022 that would build, own and operate a US-based facility to produce high-purity corn-based lactic acid on a commercial scale. Moreover, the companies will collaborate on a second joint venture that would use lactic acid produced by the first joint venture to produce and commercialize polylactic acid. The ...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Arbor Renewable Gas, LLC will use Topsoe’s TIGAS  technology for producing renewable gasoline at a new facility in the Gulf Coast region (USA). Press release: “ Arbor Renewable Gas chooses Topsoe’s TIGAS™ technology for renewable gasoline ”, 19/08/2021. The facility will expectedly be operational by 2024 to produce 1,000 barrels per day of renewable gasoline with a significantly negative carbon intensity score under California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard. The use of this fuel by consumers avoids the emission of at least 250,000 tons of CO2 to the atmosphere every year. Topsoe will supply the methanol synthesis technologies and the backend gasoline synthesis unit (TIGAS™). The methanol synthesis loop is based on the modular MeOH-To-Go™ design.

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. ExxonMobil has announced that its majority-owned affiliate Imperial Oil Ltd. is moving forward with plans to produce renewable diesel at a new complex at its Strathcona refinery in Edmonton (Canada). Press release: “ ExxonMobil affiliate to produce renewable diesel to help reduce transportation emissions in Canada ”, 25/08/2021. Figure 1. ExxonMobil affiliate Imperial intends to produce renewable diesel in Edmonton When construction is complete, the refinery is expected to produce approximately 20,000 barrels per day of renewable diesel, which could reduce emissions in the Canadian transportation sector by about 3 million metric tons per year. The complex will utilize locally grown plant-based feedstock and hydrogen with carbon capture and storage (CCS) as part of the manufacturing process. The renewable diesel production process will utilize blue hydrogen, which is produced from natural gas with carbon capture and storage. Prod...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. LCY Biosciences announced that it had acquired BioAmber’s biobased succinic acid plant and that it was ready to resume operations in 2020. Now, it has been confirmed that the company is producing succinic acid and carotenoids in the former BioAmber’s biorefinery. News (The Sarnia Journal): “ A once defunct Sarnia bioplastics plant has risen from the ashes ”, 17/08/2021. Figure 1. The LCY Biosciences plant in the Lanxess Bio-industrial Park on Vidal Street (credits: Glenn Ogilvie) BioAmber formed a joint venture with Mitsui to build a succinic acid plant in Sarnia (Ontario, Canada). The facility, with a nominal capacity of 30 ktons/year, was commissioned in August 2015. However, in 2018, with a heavy debt load and few customers, it closed the Sarnia plant and filed for bankruptcy, leaving 60 people unemployed. According to The Sarnia Journal, after buying the plant and investing millions, LCY Biosciences is today producing more suc...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Starwood Energy Group Global, Inc. (“Starwood Energy”, a private investment firm that specializes in energy infrastructure investments) and Slate Refining, LLC (“Slate”, an energy production and wholesale distribution and logistics company) have announced that they have entered into an exclusive agreement to reconfigure Slate’s refinery located in Douglas (Wyoming, USA) into a state-of-the-art renewable fuels production facility. Press release: “ Starwood Energy and Slate Refining Partner to Develop, Construct and Operate Renewable Fuels Facility ”, 17/08/2021. Upon completion of the project, the facility is expected to produce over 100 MGal annually of renewable fuels, such as renewable diesel, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and arctic diesel. Starwood Energy’s extensive experience developing, owning, operating and financing renewables and energy transition projects, coupled with Slate’s operational and refining expertise, brings a...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Green Stream Farms, a Southern New Mexico company that grows algae for use in nutrition products, has been awarded economic assistance to expand its processing operations and create jobs. Press release: “ State Assistance Awarded to Luna County’s Green Stream Farms ”, 12/08/2021. Figure 1. Green Stream Farms’ pond in Columbus Green Stream Farms in Columbus (Luna County, NM, USA) grows algae on 96 acres of lined ponds, but the current demand for algae is higher than the facility can supply. The farm has sufficient water to support needed expansion, however new buildings, processing and harvesting equipment are needed to meet production demands. A 250 k$ from the state Local Economic Development Act (LEDA) job-creators fund will allow Green Stream Farms to more than double its annual harvest, from 250 tons to 700 tons by 2022, adding 23 employees over the next 5 years. The planned construction and upgrades will increase algae production...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. lululemon athletica inc. (lululemon) has announced a multi-year collaboration with Genomatica to bring biobased materials into its products. Press release: “ lululemon Partners with Leading Sustainable Materials Innovator Genomatica to Bring Bio-Nylon to Products ”, 18/08/2021. Related posts: - “ Genomatica produces the world’s first ton of renewable nylon intermediate ”, 03/02/2020. - “ Aquafil and Genomatica to build a demo plant to produce 100% renewable nylon-6 ”, 30/11/2020. Figure 1. Genomatica and lululemon join forces to create a renewable nylon to replace conventional nylon This represents lululemon’s first-ever equity investment in a sustainable materials company and Genomatica’s largest partnership within the retail industry. Together, the two companies will create a lower-impact, plant-based nylon to replace conventional nylon, which is the largest volume of synthetic material currently used to make lululemon product...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Gevo has announced that production operations at its advanced, renewable fuels production facility located in Luverne (Minnesota, USA) have re-commenced. Press release: “ Gevo's Luverne Facility Re-Starts Production Operations ”, 04/08/2021. Related post: “ Gevo intends to build a renewable fuels production plant in Lake Preston ”, 03/09/2018. Figure 1. Gevo biorefinery in Luverne The Luverne Facility is expected to produce fuel-grade, renewable isobutanol (“IBA”). The IBA produced will be used as a feedstock for Gevo to produce sustainable aviation fuel ( Alcohol-To-Fuel ) and premium gasoline ( Renewable gasoline ) to fulfill existing sales contracts. These renewable hydrocarbons will be produced in Silsbee (Texas, USA) at the South Hampton Resources, Inc. hydrocarbon production facility. Gevo also expects to utilize some of the IBA produced to develop certain IBA specialty markets. Moreover, the production operations at the L...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Marathon’s renewable projects are progressing well. The Dickinson renewable diesel plant reached its design capacity during the second quarter of this year. Detailed engineering and permitting progressed for the conversion of Martinez Refinery to renewable fuels production. “ Marathon Petroleum Corp. Reports Second-Quarter 2021 Results ”, 04/08/2021. Related posts: “ Andeavor to transform the Dickinson Refinery into a renewable diesel biorefinery ”, 03/09/2018. Note: Andeavor was bought by Marathon. Figure 1. Marathon's Dickinson biorefinery Dickinson Renewable Diesel Facility Project: Converted petroleum refinery into renewable diesel facility. Location: Dickinson, North Dakota. Fuel: Renewable diesel and naphtha. Capacity: Approximately 184 million gallons per year. Timeline: Began producing renewable diesel in late 2020 and reached full production capacity in Q2 2021. Converting Martinez to Renewable Fuels Facility Project:...

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 IN BRIEF. KBR and Petron Scientech Inc. (PSI) has announced that they have signed an alliance agreement to license sustainable technologies for renewable chemicals production. Press release: “ KBR and Petron Scientech Inc Sign Alliance Agreement to License Sustainable Technologies ”, 03/08/2021. Under this agreement, KBR will be the exclusive licensor for PSI’s Ethylene Oxide / Ethylene Glycol (K-MEG), Alcohol Dehydration (K-SEET) and Maleic Anhydride (Max-Leic) technologies, which are used to convert ethanol into ethylene and further derivative chemicals used in a wide range of industry and consumer products. PSI has developed these technologies over the past 30 years for renewable ethanol and ethylene value chains and biorefineries. KBR will license these technologies and provide engineering services for new biorefineries as well as integrating the technologies in existing refineries and petrochemical plants to offer sustainable alternati...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Alberta’s government will use 4.7 million C$ from the Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) fund to support a facility in Lethbridge County that will produce an estimated 70 million litres of renewable fuel. The Canary Biofuels facility is expected to be operational by fall 2021. Press release: “ Diversifying the economy with cutting-edge tech ”, 27/07/2021. Figure 1. Tank being placed at Lethbridge facility (taken from Canary Biofuels website) This plant will turn local agricultural waste, inedible animal fats and used cooking oil into biodiesel and glycerine. Canary Biofuels purchased the Invigor BioEnergy facility located by the Lethbridge airport and upgrading works started in the Spring of 2021 with Phase 1 to be fully operational by November 2021. After full expansion complexion (Phase 1 & 2), the plant will produce 40 million gallons/year of low carbon intensity biodiesel and will process up to 130 ktons/y...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. New Energy Blue has announced its intention of constructing a cellulosic ethanol biorefinery (New Energy Freedom project) in Iowa (USA). Press release: “ New Energy Freedom refinery to produce carbon-negative fuel from America’s ag wastes ”, 14/07/2021. Related posts: - “ New Energy Blue plans to break ground on its first cellulosic ethanol biorefinery in spring 2019 ”, 28/09/2018. - “ NewEnergyBlue acquires Inbicon cellulosic ethanol technology ”, 14/08/2019. Figure 1. Model of the New Energy Freedom plant The company is developing the biomass refinery on a 155-acre site near Mason City. 275,000 tons of crop residue (cornstalks and wheat straw) will be locally sourced and converted into 20 million gallons of cellulosic ethanol and 95 tons of lignin. Apparently, the company has abandoned a previously announced project in North Dakota , as it is stating that New Energy Freedom represents the first large-scale use of Inbicon bioconve...