BioRefineries Blog

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. 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. 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. Avantium and Origin Materials have announced a partnership to accelerate the mass production of FDCA and PEF for use in advanced chemicals and plastics.  Press release: " Avantium and Origin Materials to Accelerate the Mass Production of FDCA and PEF for Advanced Chemicals and Plastics ", 21/02/2023. Related posts: - " Green light to the construction of the first FDCA plant of Avantium ", 13/12/2021. - " Origin Materials announces mechanical completion of its first commercial manufacturing plant ", 10/02/2023. The partnership aims to bring the technology platforms of both companies together in order to produce FDCA from sustainable wood residues on an industrial scale. FDCA (furandicarboxylic acid) is the key building block for the biopolymer PEF (polyethylene furanoate) – a 100% plant-based, fully recyclable plastic material, with superior functionality and a significantly reduced carbon footprint compared to conventional pla...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Celanese has announced the availability of more sustainable versions of multiple Acetyl Chain materials with mass balance bio-content. These offerings will be designated as ECO-B, consistent with the innovative biobased offerings introduced for Engineered Materials customers in previous years.  Press release: " Celanese Expanding Portfolio of Sustainable Products Across Acetyl Chain ", 08/02/2023. Celanese will also offer ECO-B versions of other acetyl chain intermediate chemicals including acetic acid, vinyl acetate monomer, amines, acetate esters and anhydrides, all designed to help support customers in developing more sustainable product offerings for their downstream markets. Celanese chemicals are essential to the end production of a wide range of products, with applications like pharmaceutical solvents, crop protection, photovoltaics, cleaning products, inks, lubricants, and engineered foams potentially seeing the most immediate benefit from...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Croda has agreed to acquire Solus, a company specialized in biotechnology-derived beauty actives, from Solus Advanced Materials . Press release: " Acquisition of Solus Biotech expands fast growth Beauty Actives business in Asia ", 06/02/2023. The acquisition provides access to Solus’ existing biotech-derived ceramide and phospholipid technologies, and its emerging capabilities in natural retinol. This acquisition will significantly strengthen Croda’s Beauty Actives portfolio and increases its exposure to targeted prestige segments. Located in South Korea, Solus expands Croda’s Asian manufacturing capability and will create a new biotechnology R&D hub in the region. Solus is a leading supplier of naturally derived powder ceramides, a high-growth global market with further potential to extend into formulated ceramides. The number of new personal care products containing ceramides has doubled over the last five years, principally for skin care b...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Bioweg and Ginkgo Bioworks have  announced a collaboration to optimize the production of bacterial cellulose and to produce novel variants of cellulose with improved performance to serve a variety of end markets. Press release: " Bioweg and Ginkgo Bioworks Announce Partnership to Develop Cost Effective and Efficacious Bio-Based Materials to Reduce the Use of Microplastic Pollutants ", 06/02/2023. Bioweg's current products based on biodegradable bacterial cellulose have already been tested and implemented by companies as an effective substitute for widely used synthetic polymers such as acrylates, polyethylene, and polystyrene. Synthetic polymers often appear as microbeads (micropowders) and texturants (Rheology modifiers) in products throughout the cosmetics, homecare, personal care, agricultural coatings and other industries, which contribute to microplastic pollution in surface waters worldwide. It is estimated that an average person could b...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. TotalEnergies and Intraplás are collaborating to bring sustainable solutions to the packaging market, without compromising on performance and food safety. Intraplás is launching commercial products using TotalEnergies RE:newable polymer (a range of the RE:clic portfolio) coming from renewable sourcing. Press release: " TotalEnergies and Intraplás celebrate their collaboration on the commercialization of drop-in packaging solutions from renewable sources, using TotalEnergies RE:clic range ", 26/01/2023. Figure 1. Intraplás launches commercial products using TotalEnergies RE:newable polymer (taken from the press release) TotalEnergies’ world-class biorefinery in La Mède (France) allows to leverage a direct access to renewable feedstock for its drop-in RE:newable polymer range. The resulting polymer is warranted under the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC PLUS) scheme, which uses a mass balance approach. As a result, the RE:...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Origin Materials  has announced the mechanical completion of Origin 1, its first commercial manufacturing plant, in-line with the previously disclosed timeline. Commissioning is expected to be completed by the end of Q1 2023 with start-up beginning shortly thereafter. Press release: " Origin Materials Announces Mechanical Completion of Origin 1 Manufacturing Plant ", 27/01/2023. As part of mechanical completion, the plant's critical mechanical systems have been successfully installed and commissioning has begun. Work onsite will continue, including electrical work, adding new equipment, and further refining technology. Work at the plant continues following this key achievement, with plant commissioning to support start-up anticipated to be complete around the end of Q1 2023 and start-up beginning shortly thereafter. Origin 1 is expected to start to address growing customer demand for its renewable materials and allow customers to qualify produ...

Type of post: NEWS. Braskem has announced a project to evaluate an investment in producing carbon negative bio-based polypropylene (PP) in USA. The project would utilize Braskem's proven, proprietary technology to convert bioethanol into physically segregated bio-based polypropylene. Braskem is exploring partnership opportunities for this project with several clients, brand owners, and suppliers. Press release: " Braskem Announces Project to Evaluate Production of Bio-Based Polypropylene ", 17/01/2023. The US is home to the largest ethanol industry production in the world and consists of ample technology, infrastructure, and supply availability for a project in the polymers' value chain. Braskem's bio-based PP would be a drop-in solution that has the same technical properties and recyclability found today in Braskem's current PP portfolio, with the additional benefit of a negative carbon footprint. As the largest PP producer in the Americas and utilizing its p...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Smart Resilin  (company producing resilin protein through genetic engineering) is joining forces with Acies Bio  (leading European biotechnology company) to found a joint company. The joint venture will see Smart Resilin's state-of-the-art technology paired with Acies Bio's advanced abilities in genetic, microbiological, and scale-up development to bring to market resilin as an environmentally beneficial game changer across industries. Press release: " Smart Resilin and Acies Bio Join Forces To Commercialize Resilin ", 09/01/2023. Recombinant structural proteins, such as resilin, are promising alternatives to conventional synthetic plastics due to their thermal and mechanical properties and potential for biodegradability. Most recombinant proteins produced for industries today are silk-based, which has a significantly lower return of energy than resilin, making it considerably less resilient: resilin has ~92% resilience, whereas silk has ...

Type of post: NEWS. The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company unveiled a demonstration tire comprised of 90% sustainable materials. This demonstration tire has passed all applicable regulatory testing as well as Goodyear’s internal testing.  This demonstration tire also tested to have lower rolling resistance when compared to the reference tire, made with traditional materials. Lower rolling resistance means this demonstration tire has the potential to offer better fuel savings and carbon footprint reduction. Press release: " GOODYEAR UNVEILS 90% SUSTAINABLE-MATERIAL DEMONSTRATION TIRE, APPROVED FOR ROAD USE ", 04/01/2023. Figure 1. 90% Sustainable-material Demonstration Tire - 17 Ingredients Across 12 Different Tire Components In addition, after announcing the capability to demonstrate a 70% sustainable-material tire in January 2022, Goodyear, working with its supply base, plans to sell a tire with up to 70% sustainable-material content in 2023. Consumers interested in purchasi...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. LANXESS and TotalEnergies have entered into a cooperation on the supply of biocircular styrene. The raw material used by TotalEnergies is based on tall oil, which is derived from a tree resin and is a by-product of pulp production. LANXESS uses the styrene to produce sustainable ion exchange resins. These products are applied primarily in the treatment of wastewater and chemical process flows as well as in the food industry. Press release: " LANXESS and TotalEnergies to cooperate on sustainable styrene ", 04/01/2023. The sustainable origin of the styrene is certified in accordance with the mass balance approach of the ISCC PLUS standard. Under mass balance approach, the certified and non-certified materials are mixed physically, but kept separately on a book keeping basis. This method allows companies to document and track the sustainable materials through the complex production process and ensures the full tracibility through the entire supply c...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Wood will work with CuanTec Ltd. (Scottish circular economy business) to develop cutting edge separation facilities that will process shellfish waste to extract chitin, a naturally occurring, 100% compostable biopolymer with a wide range of applications in the pharmaceutical, cosmetics and food industries. Press release: " Wood and CuanTec to accelerate circular economy solutions in the UK ", 15/12/2022. The contract will see Wood provide the front-end engineering design (FEED) to deliver modifications for CuanTec’s newly acquired separation plant in Glenrothes (Scotland), followed by the expansion of that facility. Wood will then continue to provide the FEED, engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) of additional new production facilities in the UK and globally which will enable mass production of CuanTec’s ultra-pure chitin and chitin-based products. CuanTec’s proprietary technologies use a novel, scientifically proven method to process s...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Ananas Anam has introduced a next textile innovation made from pineapple leaf fibre: Piñayarn. Press release: " Ananas Anam launches low impact yarn ", 08/11/2022. Piñayarn offers a 100% plant-based, recyclable, and biodegradable textile solution for a world otherwise dominated by petroleum-based textiles and resource intense virgin fibres. By repurposing waste leaves that would usually be burnt after the pineapple harvest, innovative technologies are used to extract the natural fibres and blend with other plant-based fibres into yarns for the textile market. The spinning technology used to create Piñayarn uses no water and zero harmful chemicals, making a naturally breathable and biodegradable yarn, with a low environmental impact. Complementing the existing product offering of Ananas Anam (Piñatex), Piñayarn provides a second solution to support brands with reducing their environmental impact. As a versatile yarn, Piñayarn can be tailor...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. After a long and challenging development process, GAIA BioMaterials has finally presented a thermoformable version of their biomaterial Biodolomer®, that not only can withstand microwave heat, but also has the potential for passing the home composting requirements. P ress release: " GAIA BIOMATERIALS LAUNCHES A WORLD FIRST IN PACKAGING MATERIALS ", 04/10/2022. Figure 1. The new Biodolomer® grade from GAIA BioMaterials is suitable for microwave oven usage. The solution is to be found in a combination of the proprietary recipe, as well as the new production equipment, which the company installed in its factory in Helsingborg during last year. Ever since its foundation, the company has nurtured a vision of a microwave-safe material that can also be disposed of in a home compost. Step by step, GAIA has approached the goal by adjusting the material and the production process.

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Technip Energies and MetGen Oy have announce a collaboration for the industrialization of METNIN® technology for the valorization of lignin. Lignin is a high-volume waste stream of biorefineries that is currently burned.  METNIN® is an enzymatic process technology that enables the fractionation of lignin from lignocellulosic feedstocks to produce various renewable bio-products. Technip Energies and MetGen have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly bring a standardized solution for lignin refining to the global market. Press release: " Technip Energies and MetGen Join Forces to Industrialize METNIN® Lignin Refining Technology ", 28/09/2022,

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Collaboration between Neste, Borealis and MAM brings new soother made with renewably-sourced feedstock to market. Press release: "Collaboration between Neste, Borealis and MAM brings new soother made with renewably-sourced feedstock to market", 21/09/2022. Figure 1. The new MAM Original Pure soother is composed of renewably-sourced polypropylene (PP) from the Borealis Bornewables™ portfolio of circular polyolefins, manufactured with Neste RE™ produced entirely from renewable raw materials. Source: © MAM MAM has been creating innovative and unique baby products such as soothers and baby bottles for more than 45 years, and has recently launched its first climate-neutral soother. The new MAM Original Pure soother is composed of renewably-sourced polypropylene (PP) from the Bornewables™ portfolio of circular polyolefins, manufactured with Neste RE™ produced entirely from renewable raw materials. The packaging of MAM Original Pure soother, which also...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. LG Chem and ADM (held a signing ceremony launching two joint ventures for production of lactic acid and polylactic acid to meet growing demand for a wide variety of plant-based products, including bioplastics. Pending final investment decisions, the joint ventures have chosen Decatur (Illinois, USA) as the location of their intended production facilities. Press release: " LG Chem and ADM Launch Joint Ventures, Announce Intended Location for U.S. Production of Lactic Acid and Polylactic Acid Production ", 15/08/2022. Figure 1. ADM's North American headquarters in D ecatur The first joint venture, GreenWise Lactic, would produce up to 150,000 tons of high-purity corn-based lactic acid annually. ADM would be the majority owner of GreenWise, and would contribute fermentation capacity from its Decatur bioproducts facility to the venture. The second joint venture, LG Chem Illinois Biochem, would be majority-owned by LG Chem. It would build upon LG C...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Newlight Technologies and Long Ridge Energy Terminal (jointly owned by a subsidiary of Fortress Transportation and Infrastructure Investors LLC and an affiliate managed by GCM Grosvenor) have entered into various agreements providing for the construction and operation of a new facility in Ohio (Aircarbon-Ohio) to produce PHB, a biomaterial that the company calls Aircarbon. Press release: " Newlight and Long Ridge Sign Agreement to Build Aircarbon Production Facility in Ohio ", 14/07/2022. Figure 1. Aircarbon production facility in Ohio Founded in 2003, Newlight is the first company to directly transform greenhouse gases into PHB at commercial scale. Newlight launched its first commercial-scale Aircarbon production facility in 2020, and today Newlight's customers and partners include Shake Shack, Nike, Target, H&M, Ben & Jerry's, Sumitomo, US Foods, and Sysco, with millions of Aircarbon units delivered to consumers to date.  AirCarb...