BioRefineries Blog

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. A consortium, including LanzaTech and Danone, led to the discovery of a new route to monoethylene glycol, (MEG), which is a key building block for polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Press release: " LanzaTech, with the support of Danone, Discovers Method to Produce Sustainable PET Bottles from Captured Carbon ", 26/05/2022. The technology converts carbon emissions from steel mills or gasified waste biomass directly into MEG. The carbon capture technology uses a proprietary engineered bacterium to convert carbon emissions directly into MEG through fermentation, bypassing the need for an ethanol intermediate, and simplifying the MEG supply chain. The direct production of MEG was proven at laboratory scale and the presence of MEG was confirmed by two external laboratories.

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. BTC Europe GmbH and NXTLEVVEL Biochem have signed an agreement on the distribution of biobased and biodegradable solvents derived from levulinic acid for the European market. Levulinic acid can serve as a versatile building block for chemicals and materials derived directly from biomass. Due to their broad solvency power, low volatility, high safety profile and biodegradability levulinate solvents offer a sustainable alternative to solvents based on fossil feedstock for a wide range of applications. Press release: " BTC Europe and NXTLEVVEL Biochem sign agreement to distribute biobased and biodegradable solvents throughout Europe ", 24/05/2021. Both companies seek to leverage their expertise and industrial know-how to respond to the high demand for more sustainable and low-emission products on the European market and enable customers to make more environmentally friendly decisions in their procurement and development processes. Through the coopera...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. Dimeta B.V., the joint venture of SHV Energy and UGI International, has announced the intended location of its first commercial-scale renewable dimethyl ether (rDME) production plant at Teesworks in the United Kingdom (UK). This marks a major step forward for Dimeta on its commitment to bring rDME to Europe and the United States in 2024. Press release: " Dimeta Announces Intended Location for its First Commercial Scale rDME Production Plant inTeesworks, UK ", 17/05/2022. Dimeta plans to produce 50,000 tonnes/year of rDME at the Teesworks production facility located in the Teesside area, which is one of the UK’s leading industrial clusters for de-fossilisation. Pending approvals, this will bring additional investment and employment opportunities to the local area. Dimeta expects to create more than 250 new jobs during construction and more than 50 skilled full-time jobs during the operational phase, which is expected by the middle of 2024. This cr...

Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF. A team of energy industry companies led by SGP BioEnergy together with the Government of Panama have announced the development of the world's largest biofuels production and distribution hub. Once complete in five years, Biorefineria Ciudad Dorada (Golden City Biorefinery), located in Colon and Balboa (Panama) will be the largest SAF production platform in the world producing 180,000 barrels per day (2.6 billion gallons per year) of advanced biofuels. Press release: " SGP BioEnergy Announces World's Largest Advanced Biofuel Production Facility ", 18/05/2022. Developed in partnership with private landowners, Panama Oil Terminals (POTSA) and the government of Panama, this project will repurpose existing facilities currently processing and storing 70% of the country's bunker fuel oil to the refinement and storage of biofuels derived from purpose grown plant oils, and waste fats and greases. It will immediately reduce the carbon output of ...