BioRefineries Blog

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Brazilian sugar-maker Raizen has approved an investment to build two second-generation ethanol plants, as part of the company’s strategy to expand its portfolio of renewable fuel. News (Financial Post): " Brazil's Raizen to invest $390 mln in second generation ethanol plants ", 11/05/2022. The new plants, which are going to be located in its energy parks in Sao Paulo state, will add a capacity of 164 thousand cubic meters of biofuel per year and are expected to start operation in 2024.  The company already operates one second generation ethanol plant and is in the construction phase of another. All four plants will have total capacity of 280 thousand cubic meters per year, of which 80% was already commercialized in long-term contracts.

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. AFYREN has announced the finalization on time and at cost of the construction of AFYREN NEOXY, the first industrial-scale biobased carboxylic acid plant using sugar beet co-products as raw material. Press release: " AFYREN announces the industrial commissioning of its AFYREN NEOXY plant and publishes its 2021 Full-Year Results ", 24/03/2022. Related post: " AFYREN starts construction of its first biorefinery to produce biobased organic acids ", 25/11/2020. Figure 1. AFYREN completes construction of its first industrial-scale plant for the production of biobased carboxylic acids In the second half of 2020, AFYREN launched the construction of AFYREN NEOXY, its first large-scale plant, located in Carling-Saint Avold, in the Grand Est region. Today, the construction phase for this plant is nearing completion: all the equipment has been delivered and the acceptance and start-up process is underway in accordance with the planned schedule. Thes...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Rayonier Advanced Materials (RYAM) has announced the introduction of a second generation (2G) ethanol product for Europe’s fast-growing biofuels market. Produced using wood-based feedstock (not in competition with food), RYAM bioethanol will have a ninety percent smaller carbon footprint compared to fossil fuel-based gasoline. Press release: “ Rayonier Advanced Materials Announces Investment In Second Generation Bioethanol Plant, An Important Step In Its BioFuture ”, 18/01/2022. Rayonier Advanced Materials’ biorefinery model captures residual sugars from its existing pulp process and converts the sugars into 2G bioethanol. This circular process, which utilizes a greater portion of the tree to create higher-value products, represents a more sustainable operating model. Designed to produce up to 21 million liters of bioethanol, construction on RYAM’s 2G production facility is scheduled to begin in the Spring of 2022 with commercial sales targeted for the Su...

Versión en Español BIOREFINERY PLATFORMS Concept - The sugar platform is defined as any combination of C5 (5 carbon atoms; xylose, pentose and ribose are the most common pentose sugars), C6 (6 carbon atoms; glucose, fructose and galactose are the most common hexose sugars) and/or C12 sugars (molecules containing two hexose sugar units) that exists within a pathway from biomass feedstock towards final biobased products. - These simple sugars are reactive molecules that can be converted biologically or chemically into fuels, chemicals, materials. food and animal feed. - Larger molecules such as oligosaccharides and polysaccharides are not included within the sugar platform. - The traditional processes are based on utilizing sucrose (composed of glucose and fructose) derived from sugar crops (sugar beet or sugar cane) or glucose obtained after hydrolysis of starch (founded in wheat, corn barley, rye, triticale…). - In advanced biorefineries, utilizing lignocellulosic biomass as feedst...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Clariant has announced the official completion of its sunliquid® cellulosic ethanol plant in Podari (Romania). Press release: “ Clariant completes construction of first commercial sunliquid cellulosic ethanol plant in Podari, Romania ”, 15/10/2021. Related posts: - “ Clariant starts the construction of its cellulosic ethanol plant in Romania ”, 17/09/2018. - “ Clariant moves forward with the installation of the Valmet pretreatment BioTrac at the cellulosic ethanol biorefinery in Podari ”, 05/04/2021. Figure 1. Sunliquid® cellulosic ethanol plant in Podari The plant in Podari (Dolj county) is built on a 10-hectare area on which construction was initiated in 2019. The completed construction is an important next step for the commercial deployment of sunliquid® technology and supports Clariant’s sunliquid® licensing business strategy. The facility will be operational in the fourth quarter. It will process 250 ktons of straw to produc...

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. 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...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Saipem and Versalis have signed an agreement to internationally promote PROESA, Versalis’ proprietary technology used to produce sustainable bioethanol and chemicals from lignocellulosic biomass. Press release: “ Versalis and Saipem together to produce sustainable bioethanol Signed an agreement for the promotion of Versalis’ technology PROESA® ”, 24/06/2021. Related posts: - “ Versalis acquires Beta Renewables and Biochemtex ”, 18/10/18. - “ Crescentino biorefinery will come back to life by the first half of 2020 ”, 10/02/2020. Versalis will manage the commercial aspects relating to the granting of licence rights of the PROESA technology and will provide engineering, assistance, and training services. Saipem will be responsible for all the stages of production plants development, from design to construction. Furthermore, the two companies will collaborate with a dedicated joint team to further developments in the industrial proces...

English version Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Raízen ha informado recientemente de que invertirá en la construcción de su segunda planta de etanol celulósico . Comunicado para inversores: “ Nova planta e contrato para comercializaçao de etanol celulósico ”, 25/06/2021. Figura 1. Raízen construirá su segunda planta de etanol celulósico La planta tendrá una capacidad instalada para la producción de 82 millones de litros anuales, correspondiente al doble de capacidad de su primera planta. Se integrará en el parque de bioenergía Bonfim ubicado en Guariba (Sao Paulo, Brasil), que además de la producción de azúcar, etanol de primera generación y electricidad a partir de biomasa de caña de azúcar, también alberga la primera planta de biogás de la empresa, inaugurada en octubre de 2020. La previsión es que la planta entre en operación en 2023. Con el inicio de operación, la capacidad total de producción de Raízen será de aproximadamente 120 millones de litros de etanol 2G por año. El anu...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Raízen has recently informed that it will invest in the construction of its second cellulosic ethanol plant. Market release: “ Nova planta e contrato para comercializaçao de etanol celulósico ”, 25/06/2021. Figure 1. Raízen to build its second cellulosic ethanol plant The plant will have an installed capacity for the production of 82 million liters per year, corresponding to double capacity of its first plant. It will be integrated into the Bonfim bioenergy park located in Guariba (Sao Paulo, Brazil), which in addition to the production of sugar, first generation ethanol and electricity from sugarcane biomass, also houses the first biogas plant of the company, inaugurated in October 2020. The forecast is that the plant will enter into operation in 2023. With the start of operation, the total capacity of Raízen's production will be approximately 120 million liters of 2G ethanol per year. The announcement of the new plant meets t...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS. Cargill and HELM have established a joint venture (Qore) focused on producing 1,4-butanediol (BDO) under the brand QIRA . As part of the agreement, both companies are investing a combined 300 M$ to build the first biobased BDO plant in USA. Qore has licensed Genomatica’s BDO process technology. Press releases: - “ Cargill and HELM partner to build $300M commercial-scale, renewable BDO facility, first in the US, to meet growing customer demand ”, 08/06/2021. - “ Second commercial plant set to be powered by Genomatica technology for more sustainable everyday products ”, 10/06/2021. Related posts: - “ Novamont opens a commercial-scale BDO biorefinery in Italy with technology of Genomatica ”, 30/09/2016. - “ Biobased 1,4-butanediol (BDO) ”, 01/06/2021. Figure 1. Made biologically through the fermentation of plant-based sugars, QIRA can save up to 93% of greenhouse gas emissions when replacing today’s widely used chemical intermediates made fr...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. AVA Biochem and Sulzer Chemtech have entered into an exclusive license agreement to commercialize AVA Biochem’s COBRIS™ (Conversion of Biomass to Renewable Industrial Substances) technology. Press release: “ Sulzer Chemtech partners with AVA Biochem to expand its portfolio of sustainable chemical production technologies ”, 11/05/2021. Related post: “ AVA Biochem and Michelin Group join forces to establish the world’s first commercial-scale production plant of 5-HMF ”, 07/02/2020. Figure 1. AVA Biochem and Sulzer Chemtech partner to commercialize 5-HMF production technology (taken from the press release) AVA Biochem proprietary Hydro-Thermal Process (HTP) COBRIS™ turns sugar-rich biomass into 5-(hydroxymehyl)furfural (5-HMF), a renewable and non-toxic compound that can be used to produce commodity chemicals. These include adhesives, food additives, textile fibers, packaging, films and fine chemicals, as well as a possible alternative...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Total Corbion PLA has kicked off the front-end engineering design (FEED) stage for its new 100 ktons/year Poly(Lactic Acid) (PLA) plant in Grandpuits (France). Press release: “ Total Corbion PLA enters engineering stage for new 100 kTpa PLA plant in Grandpuits, France ”, 23/04/2021. Related post: “ Total Corbion PLA intends to build the first commercial scale PLA plant in Europe ”, 26/09/2020. The plant, due to be operational in 2024, will be the first of its kind in Europe. Total Corbion PLA awarded the FEED contract to NextChem (subsidiary of Maire Tecnimont S.p.A.). Maire Tecnimont's heritage in polymerization of traditional plastics combined with NextChem's portfolio of innovative solutions for green chemistry ensures the necessary know-how to manage this industrial initiative.

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IndialOil) plans to set up cellulosic ethanol biorefineries in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh (India). News (The Times of India): “ IOC to set up mega biorefineries in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh ”, 25/02/2021. CELLULOSIC ETHANOL These biorefineries, which will produce ethanol from agricultural wastes like wheat and paddy straw, are part of IndianOil’s plans to set up 12 biorefineries across multiple states, including Haryana, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. According to the news, the biorefineries will have a capacity of 500 kL/day and are slated to come up at an investment of Rs 600 crore (around 68 M€) each. The company has approached the Telangana government which has identified two parcels of land for the project and is yet to approach the Andhra Pradesh government. The Telangana biorefinery would set up within 200 km of Hyderabad’s periphery. The facilities will take at least 18 months to come up after IndianOi...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS. The flagship biorefinery of the SWEETWOODS project has reached its first milestones with the delivery of industrially representative samples of high purity lignin and wood sugars available at the ton scale for testing at novel value chains. Press release: “ SWEETWOODS delivers first tons of high purity lignin and wood sugars ”, 16/02/2021. Related posts: - “ Graanul Biotech lays the cornerstone for the building of the SWEETWOODS flagship plant ”, 25/10/2019. - “ SWEETWOODS flagship plant ready to be commissioned ”, 29/05/2020. Figure 1. SWEETWOODS biorefinery (taken from the press release) The BBI JU funded SWEETWOODS flagship plant is now ready to ship out industrially representative samples of high purity near-native lignin and wood sugars at the ton scale. The project’s leading partner Graanul Biotech has stated that the first phase construction works of the flagship were finished in 2020 and that the construction of the second phase, ...

English version Type of post: NEWS. Clariant has just announced that it has signed a license agreement with Harbin Hulan Sino-Dan Jianye Bio-Energy (subsidiary of the Sino-Dan Jianye Group) for its sunliquid® cellulosic ethanol technology. This Chinese green energy company intends to build a commercial scale plant for the production of cellulosic ethanol in Heilongjiang Province (China). Press release: “ Clariant and Harbin Hulan Sino-Dan Jianye Bio-Energy announce license agreement for sunliquid® cellulosic ethanol technology in China ”, 02/02/2021. Related posts: - “ Clariant starts the construction of its cellulosic ethanol plant in Romania ”, 17/09/2018. - “ ORLEN Południe intends to build a cellulosic ethanol plant in Poland with Clariant’s technology ”, 23/09/2019. - “ Anhui Guozhen and Chemtex to build a cellulosic ethanol biorefinery in China with Clariant’s technology ”, 08/01/2020. - “ Eta Bio plans to build a cellulosic ethanol plant in Bulgaria with Clariant’s sunliquid t...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF.  Cargill and Virent, Inc. (Virent) are working together to evaluate the use of Cargill’s corn dextrose as a feedstock to Virent’s BioForming® technology for the production of “drop-in” low-carbon biobased fuels and chemicals.  Press release: “ Cargill and Virent collaborate to study Virent’s BioForming® technology to produce biobased fuels and chemicals ”, 30/9/2020.  Figure 1. Virent’s BioForming® platform (taken from the company website)  Virent’s BioForming® technology uses sugars found in plants as a feedstock to produce drop-in renewable gasoline and jet fuel, as well as lower carbon biobased chemicals, including bio-paraxylene, a key raw material for producing 100% renewable and recyclable biopolyester. The sugars may originate from any plant source, including first generation crops such as corn, sugar cane and sugar beets, as well as lignocellulosic materials derived from wood, corn stover, bagasse and...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF.  thyssenkrupp ’s plant engineering business has recently won another order to build a bioplastics plant based on the patented PLAneo® technology in China.  Press release: “ thyssenkrupp to build second bioplastics plant in China ”, 17/9/2020.  Related post: “ thyssenkrupp commissions a PLA plant for COFCO in China ”, 29/10/2018.  Figure 1. Poly(lactic acid) is a biodegradable plastic which, thanks to its physical and mechanical properties, can replace many conventional materials such as PET, polypropylene and polystyrene. The feedstock for the PLAneo® process is lactic acid, which is obtained from renewable raw materials such as sugar, starch or cellulose. Figure taken from the press release.   It will be built in South China and will produce 30,000 tons of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) annually. It will produce PLA for the manufacture of eco-friendly packaging, fibers, textiles and engineering plastics, and is ...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF.  The construction of the biobutanol biorefinery of Celtic Renewables in Grangemouth (Scotland) has taken a significant step forward with the arrival of six purpose-built 130,000-litre fermentation vessels from the Netherlands.  Press release: “ Celtic Renewables Biorefinery Sparks Boost For Scotland’s Green Economic Recovery ”, 15/9/2020.  Related posts: “ Celtic Renewables to build plant for demonstrating production of biobutanol from whisky residue ”, 19/12/2017.   Figure 1. Six 130,000-litre fermentation vessels arrive at Celtic Renewables biorefinery   The implementation of Covid-19 restrictions in March prevented the arrival and installation of the vessels at Celtic Renewables’ new plant. Now, six months on, the pioneering project is back on track. Celtic Renewables apply microbiology expertise and modern process technology to produce high-value low-carbon biochemicals and next generation biofuel from bi...

Versión en Español Type of post: NEWS.  Kalion Inc. , a Massachusetts-based bioengineering company, has been awarded a grant to conduct research and development work improving the biobased production of glucaric acid . Glucaric acid and its related compounds enhance the performance and the sustainability of a wide range of applications.  Press release: “ Kalion Inc. Receives NSF Phase II SBIR Grant to Develop Bio-based Glucaric Acid ”, 30/7/2020.  Award Abstract .  Figure 1. Kalion is working on a fermentation process that transforms glucose to glucaric acid in five steps. The novel biosynthetic pathway, expressed in E. coli, consists of three enzymes (in blue) from disparate organisms: yeast, mice, and bacteria. Taken from “ Catalyzing Commercialization: High-Purity Glucaric Acid Produced by Microbes ”, AIChE, December 2019.  Kalion Inc. has been awarded a US National Science Foundation (NSF) Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant for 747 ...