KOST USA, Inc. and ADM Announce Successful Development of Biobased Glycol Products
KOST USA, Inc. and Archer Daniels Midland Company (NYSE: ADM) today announced the successful development of the BioChill® line of heat transfer fluids. ADM’s biobased propylene glycol can effectively replace the petroleum-derived propylene glycol traditionally used in heat transfer fluids. BioChill® products allow customers to meet all performance expectations while reducing their carbon footprint.
“KOST USA continues to develop the highest quality glycol solutions to deliver performance for our customers” said Tom Overdeck, chief executive officer of KOST USA. “Our superior capabilities and technical expertise combined with high-quality biobased propylene glycol from ADM has enabled the BioChill line of heat transfer fluids.”
BioChill® Heat Transfer Fluids are registered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) BioPreferred® program, which promotes increased purchase and use of biobased products. The benefits of BioChill over petroleum-derived products include use of a sustainable product, significant reduction in greenhouse gas during production which lowers the carbon footprint, as well as potential LEED innovation credits. For example, a newly opened casino in northern Ohio is now utilizing this biobased fluid technology.
BioChill® Heat Transfer Fluids are specifically designed for use in:
• Gas Pipeline Heaters
• Gas Processing
• Natural Gas Storage
• Line and Bath Heaters
• HVAC Systems
• Pharmaceutical & Food Processing Plants
• Solar and Radiant Heating Systems
• Process Heating & Cooling
• Ice Rinks
• Playing Field Subsurface Heating
• Thermal Energy Storage
ADM was the first company in the world to make biobased propylene glycol that complies with both industrial and USP requirements. Available since March 2011, ADM’s propylene glycol has also earned the USDA Certified Biobased Product Label, indicating that the product contains 100-percent biobased content.
“ADM recognizes the increased demand for biobased products that reduce carbon footprint while maintaining superior performance,” said Paul Bloom, business director of ADM Industrial Chemicals. “Our collaboration with KOST USA is a great example of our commitment to delivering sustainable solutions by working with industry leaders.”
“KOST USA is committed to bringing products and services to market that meet today’s ongoing industry requirements,” said Overdeck. “We are dedicated to continuing future growth of biobased product solutions to satisfy all of the markets we serve.”
About KOST USA, Inc.
KOST USA, a leading manufacturer and marketer of more than 100 premium heat transfer fluids, coolants, chemicals, and lubricants, proudly serves diverse industries throughout the United States and Canada. Available through our national supply points and through our authorized distributors nationwide, KOST USA’s branded BioChill® and KOSTChill™ Heat Transfer Fluids, DefendAL® Coolants, DEFendal® Diesel Exhaust Fluid, and AchievAL™ Fire Resistant Hydraulic Fluids are offered in bulk or packaged to meet your requirements. Our advanced additive technology chemistry, along with our state-of-the-art KOSTCare™ Fluid Analysis Program, provides our customers with the best solutions, service and total value. At KOST USA, it’s more than business…it’s personal. Learn more at www.kostusa.com.
About ADM Industrial Chemicals
ADM has more than 100 years of experience producing industrial chemicals. The first product offered for sale by the Daniels Linseed Company in 1902 was linseed oil, which is still used in industrial applications such as paints and varnishes.
Today, ADM’s Industrial Chemicals group produces a portfolio of biobased products for industrial and consumer applications such as paints, plastics, household cleaners and pharmaceutical excipients. The company’s line of Evolution Chemicals™, launched by the Industrial Chemicals group in 2009, includes EVO-100™, the first biobased propylene glycol that meets USP specifications.
About ADM
For more than a century, the people of Archer Daniels Midland Company (NYSE: ADM) have transformed crops into products that serve vital needs. Today, 30,000 ADM employees around the globe convert oilseeds, corn, wheat and cocoa into products for food, animal feed, industrial and energy uses. With more than 265 processing plants, 400 crop procurement facilities, and the world’s premier crop transportation network, ADM helps connect the harvest to the home in more than 160 countries. For more information about ADM and its products,
Source: http://www.adm.com
Heinz Ketchup PlantBottles goes to Canada
Unveiled in February 2011, Heinz' PlantBottle packaging was rolled out across the US in a big way last year and now, on the eve of Earth Day 2012, the firm's Canadian division has renewed its eco-friendly credentials by highlighting the design's environmentally-beneficial attributes.
Plant-derived material makes up 30 per cent of the overall PlantBottle mix. That, according to recent research undertaken by IMI GlobalPulse, ought to ensure it's held in high esteem by a Canadian consumer base, of which 60 per cent believes environmentally friendly products are of high ethical value.
Heinz Ketchup PlantBottle
The Heinz Ketchup PlantBottle is equal in appearance, feel and function to a conventional PET plastic bottle design and is just as recyclable.
575ml Heinz PlantBottles arrived in Canada at the start of the year and, more recently, they've been joined by larger 750ml-sized bottles. These 750ml PlantBottles can be purchased in grocery stores across Canada, while the smaller ones appear in restaurants nationwide. Heinz Canada's Ketchup production facility is located in Leamington, Ontario, and the tomatoes used in it hail from a fleet of 45 growers, all of whose fields lie within a 100 kilometre range of the factory.
Heinz itself is presently committed to a major greenhouse gas, water use, solid waste and energy consumption reduction programme and is aiming to have achieved 20 per cent cuts, across the board, by 2015.
Heinz Canada PlantBottle
"The revolutionary PlantBottle packaging and our groundbreaking partnership with The Coca-Cola Co provides a great opportunity for Heinz to advance our environmental stewardship efforts", Heinz Canada's Chief Executive Officer and President, Peter Luik, explained in a 18 April company press release.
"Converting to PlantBottle packaging is a global initiative for Heinz and we are pleased to offer Canadians and their families products and innovative packaging options that help make a difference to the planet we all share."
Source: http://www.packaging-int.com
Bioenergy could employ 50,000 in UK by 2020, says new NNFCC report
A new report by bioeconomy consultants NNFCC for the UK Government, suggests that heat and power from biomass could deliver up to 50,000 jobs over the next eight years.
“Biomass will have a major role in delivering the UK‟s 2020 renewable energy targets. However there has been a lack of reliable data on the wider benefits this potentially significant industry could bring to the UK economy,” said author of the report Fiona McDermott.
The study was commissioned by the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change – alongside two other pieces of NNFCC research on the potential for domestically grown energy crops and barriers to bioenergy deployment – to provide evidence for the Government's Bioenergy Strategy, published today.
Analysis is based on estimates from the Renewables Roadmap and suggests that employment in the bioenergy sector will exceed that of all other renewable energies due to the extra demands of feedstock production, supply and handling. This added benefit is currently underestimated but should be used to attract and secure future support, says the report.
By far the biggest area for jobs creation was the biomass heat sector which could create up to 30,000 jobs by 2020 – with more than half of those jobs being permanent. Electricity from biomass could similarly offer up to 18,000 jobs by 2020 and anaerobic digestion a further 2,500.
In total this could generate between 35,000-50,000 jobs in bioenergy by 2020. The majority of these jobs are likely to be technical roles, primarily in the engineering and construction sectors, required during both the construction and operation of new bioenergy plant.
In addition to this there are significant employment opportunities for the UK biomass supply sector; including roles in feedstock production, harvesting, processing and haulage. However the number of people employed in the sector will be highly dependent on the level of uptake, origin of the feedstocks and the supply chain structures used.
The evaluation of potential levels of employment in the bioenergy sector in the report highlights that there are significant opportunities for the UK, and that the economy is likely to benefit considerably from deployment of bioenergy.
Source: http://www.nnfcc.co.uk
Ball Horticultural and Floral Plant Growers Launch New Mirel-based SoilWrap Biodegradable Plant Container
Metabolix, Inc. (NASDAQ: MBLX), a bioscience company focused on developing clean, sustainable solutions for plastics, chemicals and energy, Ball Horticultural Company and Floral Plant Growers LLC (FPG), today announced that the Mirel®-based biodegradable SoilWrap® plant containers are now available at Home Depot and Shopko stores located across the Midwest and Northwest.
SoilWrap biodegradable plantable flower pot. Floral Plant Growers and Ball Horticulture make SoilWrap using Mirel biopolymer from Metabolix. (Photo: Business Wire)
Made from 100-percent renewable Mirel biopolymers, Ball SoilWrap is a bottomless plant container that biodegrades naturally in soil. Its innovative design promotes fast plant growth and eliminates transplant shock by immediately bringing roots in direct contact with soil. Once planted in the garden, SoilWrap degrades by becoming food for beneficial soil microbes.1
"As a leader in the horticultural industry, we are dedicated to providing gardeners and landscape professionals with new, more sustainable solutions that promote healthy plant grow
th, enable consumers to reduce waste and empower retailers to differentiate product offerings," said Bill Doeckel, general manager of Ball Innovations, a business unit of Ball Horticultural Company. "Metabolix invested significantly in research and development to create its Mirel biopolymers, which we have tested extensively for our SoilWrap product. We are excited to be launching SoilWrap, with FPG, and do our part to reduce the amount of horticultural plastic going to landfills."
As an alternative to petroleum-based plastics, SoilWrap enables home gardeners to eliminate waste and reduce planting and clean-up time by 30 percent. For growers and retailers, the biodegradability properties enabled by the Mirel biopolymers provide a differentiated and sustainable bioplastic option for customers.
"With last year's successful marketing and consumer trial of Ball Horticultural's SoilWrap plantable pots, we are excited to see the commercial availability of the new product at leading retail locations such as Home Depot and Shopko," said Richard P. Eno, president and CEO of Metabolix. "As one of our earliest customers, Ball's SoilWrap perfectly showcases the key benefits of our Mirel biopolymer. With multiple disposal options, Mirel is one of the most versatile biopolymers on the market and customers like Ball continue to rely on these unique properties to develop more sustainable product offerings."
SoilWrap is currently available on multiple plant types at Home Depot stores in Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri and Nebraska and Shopko stores in Illinois, Idaho, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin.
Mirel is completely biodegradable in natural soil and marine environments, but delivers the same performance characteristics as many petroleum-based plastics, including printability and heat resistance. Mirel and SoilWrap are both listed on the USDA Biopreferred program, which designates biobased products that are preferred for purchase by federal agencies and their contractors.
About Floral Plant Growers
Floral Plant Growers LLC (FPG), headquartered in Denmark, Wisconsin has greenhouse facilities in Wisconsin, Iowa, and Indiana. FPG has been successful in the wholesale bedding plant industry for the past 40 years being designated as primary supplier for the vast majority of its customers, primarily as a result of FPG's continued emphasis on providing sustainable high quality products followed up with strong customer service and exceptional merchandising services. "SoilWrap" fits well with FPG's ongoing commitment as a certified Veriflora Grower since 2008.
About Ball Horticultural Company
Ball Horticultural Company is an internationally renowned breeder, producer and wholesale distributor of ornamental plants. A family-owned business since it was founded in 1905, Ball has introduced many innovative, award-winning varieties to the world of horticulture, including the Wave(R) petunia family and Super Elfin(R) impatiens. Ball is committed to sustainable practices and has highlighted its green accomplishments in its "Sustainability Report." The company has worldwide production, sales and marketing through its many subsidiaries on six continents. For further information, log on to ballhort.com.
About Metabolix
Founded in 1992, Metabolix, Inc. is an innovation-driven bioscience company focused on providing sustainable solutions for the world's needs for plastics, chemicals and energy. The Company is taking a systems approach, from gene to end product, integrating sophisticated biotechnology with advanced industrial practice. Metabolix is developing biosourced industrial chemicals and plastics, as well as a proprietary platform technology for co-producing plastics, chemicals and energy from crops.
Source: www.metabolix.com
Metabolix Opens First European Office
Metabolix, Inc. (NASDAQ: MBLX), a bioscience company focused on developing clean, sustainable solutions for plastics, chemicals and energy, today announced the opening of its new office in Cologne, Germany. Located in the BioCampus Cologne life science park, the space will enable the Company to directly access the European market for biopolymers and will serve as a coordination point for its regional initiatives in renewable chemicals. The new office marks the first expansion for Metabolix outside of the United States and will coordinate business development, customer service and technical support to business partners and biopolymer customers based in Europe.
"Countries in the European Union are keenly focused on sustainability initiatives and are taking decisive steps to drive the adoption of 'green' alternatives to conventional plastics and chemicals," said Richard P. Eno, president and CEO of Metabolix. "Opening a German office in an area of thriving life science innovation will put Metabolix in a central location to serve the needs of our customers and business partners."
Metabolix's new office opened its doors on April 16. For more than 100 years, plant-based pharmaceuticals have been produced at the site of BioCampus Cologne which was established in 2002 and is currently one of the largest biotechnology parks in Germany. The park is home to approximately 20 life science companies, including Bayer HealthCare, Sanofi-Aventis and Direvo.
According to the Freedonia Group1, global demand for bioplastics is expected to more than triple through 2015, with Western Europe remaining the largest consumer of bioplastic materials. With more than 700 issued and pending patents, Metabolix has led the industry in the development of a family of biopolymers called PHAs (polyhydroxyalkanoates). Metabolix's technology platform has led to the development of a line of biopolymer resins marketed under the Mirel™ and Mvera™ brands, as well as the development of biobased industrial chemicals as "drop in" replacements for petroleum-based products.
The Mirel and Mvera brands share the physical properties of petroleum-based resins for performance and durability and can be processed on existing equipment with similar productivity and post-processing techniques. The difference is that Metabolix biopolymers display unique biodegradability properties. Mirel is certified to biodegrade in soil and water environments, as well as home composting and industrial composting facilities. Mvera is a certified compostable film grade biopolymer intended for industrial composting. Metabolix biopolymers represent a distinctive solution as a high-performance bioplastic alternative. Metabolix's customers have demonstrated use of PHA biopolymers in agriculture/horticulture, compost and organic waste diversion, marine/aquatic, sustainable packaging and consumer goods applications.
In recent months, Metabolix has produced biobased gamma-Butyrolactone ("GBL," a C4 chemical) at semi-works scale (60,000L) and has produced biobased acrylic acid (a C3 chemical) at lab scale. The Company is actively moving these processes towards commercial scale targets. According to industry sources, the current combined global market for conventional four-carbon ("C4") and three-carbon ("C3") industrial chemicals is estimated at more than $10 billion annually. C4 chemicals are used in applications ranging from high-performance engineering plastics to spandex. C3 chemicals have applications in paints, coatings, diapers and adhesives.
About Metabolix
Founded in 1992, Metabolix, Inc. is an innovation-driven bioscience company focused on providing sustainable solutions for the world's needs for plastics, chemicals and energy. The Company is taking a systems approach, from gene to end product, integrating sophisticated biotechnology with advanced industrial practice. Metabolix is developing biosourced industrial chemicals and plastics, as well as a proprietary platform technology for co-producing plastics, chemicals and energy from crops.
Source: www.metabolix.com.
Ball Horticultural and Costa Farms Launch New Mirel-based SoilWrap Biodegradable Plant Container
Metabolix, Inc. (NASDAQ: MBLX), a bioscience company focused on developing clean, sustainable solutions for plastics, chemicals and energy, Ball Horticultural Company and Costa Farms, today announced that the Mirel®-based biodegradable SoilWrap® plant containers are now available at Lowe's Home Improvement stores in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.
SoilWrap biodegradable plantable flower pot. Costa Farms and Ball Horticulture make SoilWrap using Mirel biopolymer from Metabolix. (Photo: Business Wire)
Made from 100-percent renewable Mirel biopolymers, Ball SoilWrap is a bottomless plant container that biodegrades naturally in soil. Its innovative design promotes fast plant growth and eliminates transplant shock by immediately bringing roots in direct contact with soil. Once planted in the garden, SoilWrap degrades by becoming food for beneficial soil microbes.1
"As a leader in the horticultural industry, we are dedicated to providing gardeners and landscape professionals with new, more sustainable solutions that promote healthy plant growth, enable consumers to reduce waste and empower retailers to differentiate product offerings," said Bill Doeckel, general manager of Ball Innovations, a business unit of Ball Horticultural Company. "Metabolix invested significantly in research and development to create its Mirel biopolymers, which we have tested extensively for our SoilWrap product. We are excited to be launching SoilWrap, with grower Costa Farms, and do our part to reduce the amount of horticultural plastic going to landfills."
As an alternative to petroleum-based plastics, SoilWrap enables home gardeners to eliminate waste and reduce planting and clean-up time by 30 percent. For growers and retailers, the biodegradability properties enabled by the Mirel biopolymers provide a differentiated and sustainable bioplastic option for customers.
"With last year's successful marketing and consumer trial of Ball Horticultural's SoilWrap plantable pots, we are excited to see the commercial availability of the new product at leading retail locations such as Lowe's Home Improvement Stores," said Richard P. Eno, president and CEO of Metabolix. "As one of our earliest customers, Ball's SoilWrap perfectly showcases the key benefits of our Mirel biopolymer. With multiple disposal options, Mirel is one of the most versatile biopolymers on the market and customers like Ball continue to rely on these unique properties to develop more sustainable product offerings."
SoilWrap is currently available on Wave® petunias and Sunpatiens® impatiens at Lowe's Home Improvement stores in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.
Mirel is completely biodegradable in natural soil and marine environments, but delivers the same performance characteristics as many petroleum-based plastics, including printability and heat resistance. Mirel and SoilWrap are both listed on the USDA Biopreferred program, which designates biobased products that are preferred for purchase by federal agencies and their contractors.
About Costa Farms
Costa Farms is the largest producer of indoor houseplants in the world. Founded in 1961 by Jose Costa, Costa Farms is a third generation, family owned business that globally stretches over 3,800 acres and employs 2,800 people. Along with thriving indoor and bedding plant divisions, Costa Farms operations are located in Florida and North Carolina, and abroad in the Dominican Republic, and Far East.
About Ball Horticultural Company
Ball Horticultural Company is an internationally renowned breeder, producer and wholesale distributor of ornamental plants. A family-owned business since it was founded in 1905, Ball has introduced many innovative, award-winning varieties to the world of horticulture, including the Wave(R) petunia family and Super Elfin(R) impatiens. Ball is committed to sustainable practices and has highlighted its green accomplishments in its "Sustainability Report." The company has worldwide production, sales and marketing through its many subsidiaries on six continents. For further information, log on to ballhort.com.
About Metabolix
Founded in 1992, Metabolix, Inc. is an innovation-driven bioscience company focused on providing sustainable solutions for the world's needs for plastics, chemicals and energy. The Company is taking a systems approach, from gene to end product, integrating sophisticated biotechnology with advanced industrial practice. Metabolix is developing biosourced industrial chemicals and plastics, as well as a proprietary platform technology for co-producing plastics, chemicals and energy from crops.
Source: www.metabolix.com
Metabolix Awarded Two U.S. Patents for Technology to Produce Biobased Polymers and Industrial Chemicals
Metabolix, Inc. (NASDAQ: MBLX), an innovation-driven bioscience company focused on delivering sustainable solutions for plastics, chemicals and energy, today announced that the company has been awarded two new patents from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) related to the novel and efficient production of biobased polymers and industrial chemicals.
U.S. Patent 8,093,022 titled "Polyhydroxalkanoate Biopolymer Compositions" enables production of a series of new PHA biopolymer compositions using genetically engineered microbial strains.
U.S. Patent 8,114,643 titled "Polyhydroxalkanoate Production from Polyols" enables creation of genetic constructs to make the biobased chemical 3-hydroxypropionic acid in microbial and crop plant systems. It also describes the use of polyols, including glycerol and sugars, as alternate, renewable feedstocks. 3-Hydroxypropionic acid is useful for the production of PHA polymers and C3 chemicals including biobased acrylic acid, malonic acid, esters and amines.
"We firmly believe that the pace of adoption of chemicals made from renewable resources will rapidly accelerate throughout this decade," said Richard P. Eno, president and CEO of Metabolix. "The growing commitment from brand owners and consumers to produce and use ‘green' products, combined with the rapid advances in biotechnology, means that our technology for producing biobased chemicals will be very well positioned to benefit from this trend."
"These recently issued patents highlight the breadth and depth of Metabolix's PHA technology platform. The recently issued patents describe a process that enables us to engineer microbes and plants to accumulate unique biobased monomers and PHA polymers inside their cells. The unique PHA polymers can then be extracted and used as bioplastics or converted directly from dried biomass using our FAST technology to chemical intermediates. In the case of the 3-hydoxypropionic acid polymer, using our FAST recovery technology results in the direct production of acrylic acid. We believe this approach will provide a significant advantage for creating cost-effective downstream recovery systems at commercial scale," commented Oliver Peoples, an inventor on the patents and chief scientific officer of Metabolix.
With more than 700 issued and pending patents, Metabolix has led the industry in the development of a family of biopolymers found in nature called PHAs (polyhydroxyalkanoates), including members of the PHA family. Metabolix is developing biobased industrial chemicals as "drop-in" replacements for petroleum-based products. In recent months, Metabolix has produced biobased gamma-Butyrolactone ("GBL," a C4 chemical) at semi-works scale (60,000L) and has produced biobased acrylic acid (a C3 chemical) at lab scale. In the second quarter, Metabolix expects to begin sampling to prospective strategic partners dried biomass for conversion to biobased acrylic acid.
According to industry sources, the combined global market for conventional four-carbon ("C4") and three-carbon ("C3") industrial chemicals is estimated at more than $10 billion annually. C4 chemicals are used in applications ranging from high-performance engineering plastics to spandex. C3 chemicals have applications in paints, coatings, diapers and adhesives.
Source: www.metabolix.com
Clariant debuts new generation sustainable lubricant for PVC in Europe
Clariant introduces a new generation of lubricant based on a renewable source to the PVC processing community, in support of the global trend away from lead-stabilized PVC processing compounds.
Licocare™ SBW11 TP is currently making its regional debut on the PVC congress circuit in Germany, including the recently-held PVC Formulation 2012 and the forthcoming SKZ PVC-Folien conference from April 25-26, 2012.
New Licocare SBW11 TP offers excellent performance, and efficiency and sustainability benefits. The naturally-based, chemically modified wax is produced from soya bean oil. It offers superior technical performance in PVC processing versus fatty acid derivatives traditionally used for lubrication.
Licocare SBW11 TP is particularly suitable for the processing of rigid PVC compounds, especially for calcium/zinc- (Ca/Zn) and tin (Sn)-stabilized PV film and extrusion applications. The lubricant acts as an
external and internal lubricant offering a number of performance benefits to enable processors to take advantage of efficient and consistent production runs.
These include:
Good release/anti-sticking effects: outperforms external lubrication potential of fatty acid esters / complex ester mixtures
No mold deposits thanks to low volatility and good compatibility with PVC
Excellent thermal stability ensures good color stability
The broad lubricating effects contribute to a balanced rheology behavior
Low concentrations varying from 0.3 to 1.0 phr provide effective performance
Licocare SBW11 TP can also be used as a lubricant in PVC injection molding. Here, flowability is significantly improved with less influence on the Vicat softening temperature than that of common internal lubricants, such as fatty acid ester derivatives. As a result, Licocare SBW11 TP can achieve better dimensional stability for the injection molded product and excellent flow improvement.
"Licocare SBW11 TP offers PVC processors a high-performing, renewable-based lubricant that supports their production efficiency and environmental goals." comments Beate Treffler Head of Technical Marketing BL Waxes IS Plastics; BU Additives, Clariant.
Source: www.clariant.com
Purac brings groundbreaking solutions for heat resistant PLA bioplastics to PLAS 2012
Purac will be presenting groundbreaking heat resistant solutions for Poly Lactic Acid (PLA) at PLAST 2012 which will be held from 8-12 May in Milan, Italy.
At PLAST 2012 - one of the most important exhibitions for the plastics and rubber industry worldwide - Purac will present its recent PURALACT® Lactide innovations. These innovations open up new possibilities for producers seeking high performance biobased plastic solutions.
Purac's solutions for improved heat resistant PLA for the injection molding, thermoforming, extrusion, foam and fiber industries unlock bioplastic potential for durable applications in a range of high end markets such as automotive, carpet, clothing and consumer electronics and appliances. PLA now offers the possibility to replace PS, PP and ABS in those applications where heat resistance is a key requirement.
PURALACT® L & D based homo polymers - known as PLLA and PDLA - are the key to this improved heat performance and are now commercially available. Purac's technology offers the possibility to increase the heat stability of PLA to reach 80 to 180 degrees Celsius.
At PLAST 2012, Purac will demonstrate its capabilities by presenting thin wall thermoformed hot beverage cups produced from PURALACT® based PLA which are able to resist the high temperatures that are associated with hot beverages like tea or coffee.
To learn more about this technology, meet the Purac team at booth A79 in Hall 11 or contact François de Bie.
Source: www.purac.com
Commission’s Strategy Launch: EU moves to grow its own Bioeconomy
The eagerly anticipated EU strategy on the bioeconomy has, today, been adopted by the European Commission. “This is a milestone moment for Europe and for Europeans” commented Lars Hansen, Chair of EuropaBio’s Industrial Biotech Council. “and, hopefully, it won’t go unnoticed, since it represents a giant leap forwards in securing smarter, more sustainable growth and jobs across the member states for the future.”
The EU Bioeconomy strategy, spearheaded by Commissioner Geoghegan-Quinn’s DG Research and Innovation, plots a roadmap for creating a society far less dependent on fossil fuels. Industrial Biotechnology plays a central role in achieving this, through the sustainable processing and production of biobased products, chemicals, materials and fuels from biomass and agricultural waste, reducing the EU’s dependence on oil, coal and gas and creating jobs across a wide range of sectors and disciplines.
By developing this strategy the Commission has, for the first time, united a vast, highly-skilled value chain and workforce of Europeans - from the farmers cultivating EU land to the scientists, innovators and industry sectors working towards providing the greener products and sustainable processes that Europeans are seeking. An estimated 22 million Europeans, who represent the driving force of the bioeconomy itself, are already worldwide leaders in turning this vision into a reality.
“We have the technological edge here in the EU and, in the face of mounting economic and environmental challenges and burgeoning international interest in this field, it’s vital that we keep it.” said Nathalie Moll, EuropaBio’s Secretary General. “We applaud the Commission for its inclusive approach towards developing this strategy which has involved thorough consultation with the whole value chain and has the support of several key Directorate Generals within the Commission. The EU’s leadership is helping to ensure the bioeconomy will bring big benefits for our economy and for our environment in the process.”
However, many challenges remain to be tackled, not least in raising understanding of what the bioeconomy represents and awareness of the benefits it can provide both in the EU and worldwide. Risks too must be responsibly managed throughout the value chain to ensure that the growth of the bioeconomy lives up to its potential for delivering sustainability and resource efficiency. Overcoming the hurdles associated with the deployment of new technologies and bridging the so-called innovation Valley of Death between research and market remains a critical challenge in Europe and one that requires a robust and stable political framework underpinning the entire biobased value chain.
Lars Hansen concluded: “It’s vital that we have the full support of the member states to make the bioeconomy an EU success story. Now that we are off the starting blocks, we have a clear view of the remaining hurdles in our path. These including the need to secure feedstock through the CAP, to build new and improve existing pilot and demonstration biorefineries, for example through Public Private Partnerships, and to stimulate market demand for biobased products. The transition from a fossil fuel-based to a renewable bioeconomy is going to be a marathon not a sprint for all of us – but run the right way it is a race that the EU can lead and win.”
Additional Resources
- Please find a link the EU Commission Strategy for the bioeconomy here
- Please find a link to the Commission press release here
For more information please contact:
Nathalie Moll
Secretary General, EuropaBio
Tel +32 2 739 1171 Email: n.moll@europabio.org
Joanna Dupont-Inglis
Director, Industrial Biotechnology, EuropaBio
Tel: +32 2 739 11 84; GSM: +32 476 60 71 35 Email: j.dupont@europabio.org
About EuropaBio
EuropaBio is the European Association for Bioindustries, bringing together bioscience companies from all fields of research and development, testing, manufacturing and distribution of biotechnology products. It has 54 corporate members, 6 associate members, 2 BioRegions and 18 National Biotechnology Associations representing some 1800 small and medium sized enterprises.
Cardia launches worlds first Bio-Container for nutritional supplement and cosmetics market
Cardia is implementing a marketing strategy to launch the Bio-Containers globally. In the first step of this strategy, Cardia is currently working with both a US manufacturer of plastic containers and a major nutritional supplement company to launch the new Bio-Containers into the US market.
Cardia estimates that the packaging (including containers) for this industry alone represents a multi-million dollar business opportunity. This is further supported by "Research and Markets"[1] report on the US Nutritional Supplement industry which is estimated to be worth US$22.5 billion per annum.
Cardia Bioplastics has produced "Bio-Containers" for packaging tablets and cosmetics using its new food contact approved BiohybridTM resins. The Cardia BiohybridTM resins are fully recyclable and comply with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and EU regulatory requirements[2] on materials and articles intended to come into contact with food.
Cardia's Bio-Containers have been independently tested and validated to comply with the stringent performance requirements of the nutritional supplement and cosmetics industries. The Bio-Containers are well-suited to store vitamins, medical tablets, food and nutritional supplements, and cosmetic products. Bio-Containers offer excellent physical properties and shelf life for the stored products. In addition to their excellent performance, Bio-Containers require less oil to produce and have a more favourable environmental profile and carbon footprint than conventional plastic containers.
Cardia BiohybridTM proprietary technology combines renewable thermoplastics with polyolefin material to reduce dependence on finite oil resources and to reduce carbon footprint.
About Cardia Bioplastics
Cardia Bioplastics Limited (ASX CODE: CNN) develops, manufactures and markets its patented renewable resource based materials and finished products derived from Cardia's proprietary technology for the global packaging and plastic products industries. The company holds a strong patent portfolio and its growth is fuelled by the global trend towards sustainable packaging. Established in Australia in 2002 as Biograde, the company Headquarters and Global Applications Development Centre is in Melbourne, Australia. The Product Development Centre and manufacturing plant for resins and finished goods is in Nanjing, China and soon to manufacture under a joint venture for finished goods in Malaysia. There are Cardia Bioplastics offices in the Americas, Australia, Europe and Asia, and a network of leading distributors across the Americas, Asia and Europe. Visit www.cardiabioplastics.com.
Cardia Bioplastics Wins $500K Hygiene Products Contract for American Market
Cardia Bioplastics is pleased to announce that it has been awarded an annual supply contract for hygiene films made using Cardia Biohybrid™ technology worth at least US$500,000 p.a. Cardia signed the supply deal with a leading American diaper products company.
Using the hygiene films made from Cardia BiohybridTM technology, the American diaper products company (can not be named due to commercial sensitivity) now offers an environmentally sensitive diaper that uses less petroleum-based and more sustainable materials. In order to complete the product offering, the diapers are packed in an outer packaging also made using Cardia BiohybridTM technology.
The combination of film packaging with performance, environmental profile, soft touch, matt finish, excellent printability and cost effectiveness makes Cardia BiohybridTM technology a most interesting product offering to the global hygiene and personal care products industry.
Cardia Bioplastics will supply the Cardia BiohybridTM hygiene films from its Nanjing/China based film manufacturing plant.
About Cardia Bioplastics
Cardia Bioplastics Limited (ASX CODE: CNN) develops, manufactures and markets its patented renewable resource based materials and finished products derived from Cardia's proprietary technology for the global packaging and plastic products industries. The company holds a strong patent portfolio and its growth is fuelled by the global trend towards sustainable packaging. Established in Australia in 2002 as Biograde, the company Headquarters and Global Applications Development Centre is in Melbourne, Australia. The Product Development Centre and manufacturing plant for resins and finished goods is in Nanjing, China and soon to manufacture under a joint venture for finished goods in Malaysia. There are Cardia Bioplastics offices in the Americas, Australia, Europe and Asia, and a network of leading distributors across the Americas, Asia and Europe. Visit www.cardiabioplastics.com.
New range of recyclable Cardia Biohybrid food packaging resins compliant with both U.S. FDA standards and EU regulations
Cardia Bioplastics is pleased to announce that it has developed a new range of food contact packaging resin products made from Cardia Biohybrid™ technology that are fully recyclable and comply with U.S.A Code of Federal Regulations - Title 21 - Food and Drugs (FDA CFR 21) and fulfil the requirements of Europe’s Regulation (EU) No. 10/2011 on materials and articles intended to come into contact with food.
The breakthrough will provide Cardia Bioplastics with an expanded market opportunity into food packaging applications. The packaging applications that have already been validated for compliance are mono- and multi-layer films, injection and blow moulding products. Every day food packaging items made from Cardia BiohybridTM technology like bags, food packaging films, containers, closures, tubs and bottles can now be offered by Cardia's customers.
Achieving European and USA food contact compliance for its packaging products is an important milestone for Cardia Bioplastics. The combination of rigid and flexible film packaging with performance, environmental profile, food contact compliance, free of genetic modification, recyclability and cost effectiveness makes Cardia BiohybridTM technology an interesting packaging offering for the global food industry.
Cardia BiohybridTM proprietary technology combines renewable thermoplastics with polyolefin material to reduce dependence on finite oil resources and to reduce carbon footprint.
About Cardia Bioplastics
Cardia Bioplastics Limited (ASX CODE: CNN) develops, manufactures and markets its patented renewable resource based materials and finished products derived from Cardia's proprietary technology for the global packaging and plastic products industries. The company holds a strong patent portfolio and its growth is fuelled by the global trend towards sustainable packaging. Established in Australia in 2002 as Biograde, the company Headquarters and Global Applications Development Centre is in Melbourne, Australia. The Product Development Centre and manufacturing plant for resins and finished goods is in Nanjing, China and soon to manufacture under a joint venture for finished goods in Malaysia. There are Cardia Bioplastics offices in the Americas, Australia, Europe and Asia, and a network of leading distributors across the Americas, Asia and Europe. Visit www.cardiabioplastics.com.
Cereplast Launches First Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) Starch Hybrid Resins
Cereplast, Inc. (Nasdaq:CERP), a leading manufacturer of proprietary biobased, sustainable bioplastics, today announced the launch of Hybrid 111D and Hybrid 112D, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) starch hybrid compounds for injection molding applications. Hybrid 111D boasts 30% starch and Hybrid 112D has 50% starch, which lowers the environmental impact of the material compared to conventional TPE. Both grades are soft and pliable, offering stretch with some recovery for soft grip applications such as handles for bicycles and tools, cosmetics packaging, housewares, household appliances, footwear and automotive applications.
"We are enthusiastic about the addition of TPE starch blends to the Cereplast Hybrid Resins family, as we continue to expand our line of bioplastic resins to provide low carbon footprint products to the marketplace," said Cereplast CEO and Chairman Mr. Frederic Scheer. "In the next few months we will also introduce polyethylene hybrids, which will round out our product offering, furthering our leadership role for hybrid resins in the bioplastics industry and meeting the demands of our customers for the properties and pricing that they desire."
About Cereplast, Inc.
Cereplast, Inc. (Nasdaq:CERP) designs and manufactures proprietary biobased, sustainable bioplastics which are used as substitutes for traditional plastics in all major converting processes - such as injection molding, thermoforming, blow molding and extrusions - at a pricing structure that is competitive with traditional plastics. On the cutting-edge of biobased plastic material development, Cereplast now offers resins to meet a variety of customer demands. Cereplast Compostables® resins are ideally suited for single-use applications where high biobased content and compostability are advantageous, especially in the food service industry. Cereplast Sustainables® resins combine high biobased content with the durability and endurance of traditional plastic, making them ideal for applications in industries such as automotive, consumer electronics and packaging. Learn more at www.cereplast.com. You may also visit the Cereplast social networking pages at Facebook.com/Cereplast, Twitter.com/Cereplast, and Youtube.com/Cereplastinc.
Cereplast Introduces New Category of Bioplastics With First Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate (EVA) Starch Hybrid Resin
Cereplast, Inc. (Nasdaq:CERP), a leading manufacturer of proprietary biobased, sustainable bioplastics, today announced the introduction of a new category of bioplastics — Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate (EVA) and starch hybrid compounds. The first product in this category is the new Cereplast Hybrid Resins® grade, Hybrid 651D, which is a tough, soft touch, pliable material that is ideal for extrusions and soft injection moldable applications. Hybrid 651D provides the desirable properties of conventional EVA, while offering a lower carbon footprint.
Hybrid 651D is a proprietary formulation of EVA and industrial starch, which is compounded on state-of-the-art mixing equipment. Hybrid 651D can be used for the manufacture of consumer goods and packaging, footwear, handbags and other fashion accessories, as well as wire and cable insulation, soft plastic goods such as tubes and hoses and adhesion layers for multi-layer films.
"In our continued effort to leverage our research and development capabilities, we are proud to introduce this new category of bioplastic resins to the marketplace," said Cereplast CEO and Chairman Mr. Frederic Scheer. "Hybrid 651D expands the types of applications that can be made from the Cereplast Hybrid Resins® product line, offering our customers a new range of properties for durable eco-friendly materials."
About Cereplast, Inc.
Cereplast, Inc. (Nasdaq:CERP) designs and manufactures proprietary biobased, sustainable bioplastics which are used as substitutes for traditional plastics in all major converting processes - such as injection molding, thermoforming, blow molding and extrusions - at a pricing structure that is competitive with traditional plastics. On the cutting-edge of biobased plastic material development, Cereplast now offers resins to meet a variety of customer demands. Cereplast Compostables® resins are ideally suited for single-use applications where high biobased content and compostability are advantageous, especially in the food service industry. Cereplast Sustainables® resins combine high biobased content with the durability and endurance of traditional plastic, making them ideal for applications in industries such as automotive, consumer electronics and packaging. Learn more at www.cereplast.com or www.cereplastitalia.com. You may also visit the Cereplast social networking pages at Facebook.com/Cereplast, Twitter.com/Cereplast, and Youtube.com/Cereplastinc.
EuropaBio/Ernst & Young report highlights need for European governments to ensure that R&D is converted into new business, new products and additional jobs
National governments in Europe need to do more to ensure that R&D innovation in the biotech industry is translated into new businesses, new products and additional jobs according to a new report launched today by Ernst & Young and EuropaBio, “What Europe has to offer biotechnology companies: unraveling the tax, financial and regulatory framework”. The reportfound significant variation in the regulatory and policy environment for biotechnology companies across Europe, which has a significant impact on success and policies across the region. The differences range from basic policies and regulations which encourage financing for start-ups, to the ability to encourage entrepreneurs and attract competent managers.
The report was launched today by EU Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science, Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, at the European Parliament during the EuropaBio Benefits of Biotechnology event hosted by Member of the European Parliament Francoise Grossetete. Attended by more than 120 people, and opened by Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy John Dalli, the event focused on the contribution of biotechnology to society’s challenges such as feeding and healing an ageing population, environmental sustainability, economic growth and maintaining Europe as a center of scientific excellence.
Stephan Kuhn, Ernst & Young EMEIA Tax Leader, said: “A consistent tax and regulatory environment for biotech SMEs across Europe is essential if the industry is to have sustainable growth and remain competitive compared with other regions. This report shows some governments have recognized the importance of policies and programs that foster a strong community of SMEs in biotechnology, such as R&D tax credits or low corporation tax for example, whereas others have not. National governments, together with the EU, need to make sure that the policies are in place to make funding more accessible to SMEs involved in biotechnology”.
The reportsurveyed 16 countries across Europe on the tax, financial and regulatory incentives their governments provide to investors, entrepreneurs and researchers in the bioeconomy, and the challenges facing SMEs. The report compares the tax concessions on offer in each country, financing opportunities for SMEs, and the benefits that can flow from a decision to establish a start-up in a particular location.
Thomas Saylor, EuropaBio Chair of the SME Platform, stated: “This report represents an important contribution to the policy debate over measures that can significantly benefit biotech SMEs in Europe and ensure that Europeans benefit from the biological sciences. There is growing recognition by the European Commission and policy makers throughout Europe of the importance of biotech SMEs to Europe’s future prosperity. As such, the report can play a major role in establishing an agenda for policymakers seeking to ensure an attractive environment for investors and biotech entrepreneurs.”
Source: www.europabio.org
DaniMer Scientific and Myriant Announce Strategic Alliance to Develop Eco-Friendly, Cost-Effective Bio-Materials
DaniMer Scientific and Myriant announced today that the companies have formed a strategic alliance focused on delivering innovative, cost-effective bio-based materials to the marketplace. As part of the strategic alliance, DaniMer will utilize Myriant's bio-succinic acid for the production of high-performance, bio-based polymers used to make a broad range of sustainable, eco-friendly products.
"DaniMer believes that green chemistry can positively impact our environment and people's lives, and that there is significant market potential for materials that are made from renewable sources. The use of renewable resources can enable cost-effective production of products that billions of people use every day," says Blake Lindsey, President of DaniMer Scientific. "DaniMer is very excited about our relationship with Myriant and the value this combination can bring in innovative, value-added products to the global marketplace."
Driven partly by consumer demand for eco-friendly products and improved accessibility to renewable feedstocks globally, the green chemicals market is projected to experience significant growth in the coming decade. According to a 2011 report by Pike Research, "green chemistry" will reach a market opportunity of approximately $98 billion by 2020. DaniMer, a global leader in the bio-plastics industry, helps companies make an impact with consumers by using sustainably produced, renewable resource-based materials to differentiate their products.
Working collaboratively with Myriant, DaniMer has successfully demonstrated production of numerous bio-succinic acid containing materials at its Bainbridge, Georgia product development center. DaniMer is constructing a large-scale production facility that will incorporate Myriant's bio-succinic acid into its production processes for a number of bio-based polymers used in the production of numerous consumer products.
"We are delighted to formalize our alliance with DaniMer and we look forward to collaborating with them on the integration of our bio-succinic acid into their production process for eco-friendly polymers, " Stephen J. Gatto, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Myriant. "Moreover, Myriant continues to demonstrate that our cost advantaged and innovative technology platform is setting the industry standard for the production of high-value, bio-based chemicals that seamlessly drop into chemical production processes as a reliable and cost-advantaged substitute for petroleum-based chemicals."
About Myriant Corporation
Myriant utilizes its proprietary technology platform to develop innovative, performance-based, renewable chemicals utilizing low-cost sugars. In December 2010, Myriant broke ground on its flagship 30 million pound commercial bio-succinic acid facility in Lake Providence, Louisiana and anticipates beginning commercial production in early 2013. The company's D(-) lactic acid started production at commercial scale in June 2008 for use in polylactic acid. Myriant has agreements with ThyssenKrupp Uhde GmbH for engineering, Davy Process Technology for the integration of Myriant's bio-succinic acid process with the Davy butanediol process for the production of bio-based butanediol, and PTT Chemical for the commercialization of Myriant's technology in Southeast Asia. Myriant is headquartered in Quincy, Massachusetts. Details are available at www.myriant.com.
About DaniMer Scientific
DaniMer Scientific, an international corporation, believes people's lives can be improved and the environment can be better protected by utilizing renewable resources to manufacture articles that are intended for short-term use. One of the company's goals is to reduce dependence on petroleum, enabling people and communities to benefit from environmentally-friendly products. For more information about DaniMer Scientific, please visit: www.danimer.com.
Cobalt And The Naval Air Warfare Center Team Up To Produce A Renewable Jet Fuel From Bio N-Butanol
Today, the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD), China Lake announced a contract award to Albemarle Corporation, a leading specialty chemicals company, to complete its first biojet fuel production run based on bio n-butanol provided by Cobalt Technologies, a leading developer of next generation bio n-butantol. For this production run, Albemarle will use NAWCWD technologies to process Cobalt’s bio n-butanol into renewable jet fuel at its Baton Rouge, La. processing facility.
"Our production run of Cobalt’s bio n-butanol provides another attractive pathway to create sustainable jet fuel not only for the military, but eventually for commercial aviation,” said Dr. Michael D. Seltzer, head of NAWCWD’s Technology Transfer Program. "We are proud to be working in partnership with Cobalt and Albemarle to create this renewable jet fuel and we look forward to testing the end result.”
Funded by the NAWCWD, this initial manufacturing contract by Albemarle kicked-off in February 2012. Upon completion, the resulting jet fuel will be tested by the U.S. Naval Air Warfare Center – Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) as a continuing process for military certification through the Department of Defense. Once this testing is completed, larger production runs will be undertaken to continue with flight testing.
"This is a significant milestone not only for our collective team, but for the greater industry looking to advance sustainable jet fuels,” said Bob Mayer, CEO of Cobalt Technologies. "It has been a pleasure working closely with the U.S. Navy to advance to this stage of testing and we are very pleased with the selection of Albemarle as our processing partner, for its proven experience in custom manufacturing and strategic focus on sustainable chemistry.”
Specifically, Cobalt converts non-food feedstock, like woody biomass, into renewable butanol for both chemicals and fuels, including jet fuel. The combined science team from Cobalt and the NAWCWD focused on scaling and optimizing the dehydration chemistry for the conversion of bio n-butanol to 1-butene, followed by oligomerization of the biobutene into jet fuel, based on a process developed at NAWCWD in China Lake, CA. Once the team completed its initial research, the search for a large-scale processing partner began, which resulted in the awarding of today’s contract to Albemarle.
"We are excited to support the custom scale-up and processing for this advanced technology project as it aligns with our commitment to sustainability,” said Tom Thomas, Division Vice President Fine Chemistry Services, Albemarle. "We are always looking for projects in which we can use our solutions based expertise to help address the world’s most important environmental needs. We believe advancing biofuels and developing a renewable jet fuel is of great importance.”
This initial production run is the first significant milestone under the Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) signed between NAWCWD and Cobalt in 2010 to develop technology for the conversion of bio n-butanol into full performance jet and diesel fuels. This CRADA was made possible by the U.S. Federal Technology Transfer Act of 1986, which allows private organizations to access the expertise, capabilities and technologies of U.S. Federal laboratories to improve the economic, environmental and social well-being of the United States.
The development of cost-effective and sustainable sources of fuel for military use is a high priority for the U.S. Navy, which is aiming to cut the use of foreign-based fossil fuels in half by 2020. This summer, the Navy is planning on using the recent purchase of 450,000 gallons of biofuel for the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) maritime exercise as part of the Great Green Fleet demonstration, a carrier strike group composed of nuclear ships, hybrid electric ships running biofuels and aircraft flying on biofuels. Additionally, by 2016 the Great Green Fleet will be fully deployed using 50/50 blends of biofuels for ships and aircraft.
About Cobalt Technologies
Cobalt Technologies is a leader in commercializing the production of bio n-butanol as a renewable chemical and fuel. N-butanol is a widely used industrial chemical found in paints, lacquers and other surface coatings, with a global market of over $5 billion. By producing low-cost bio n-butanol, Cobalt’s unique technology enables the use of bio n-butanol as a platform molecule for the production of a broad array of fuels and chemicals, including jet fuel, bio-based plastics and synthetic rubber. Cobalt’s technology platform offers a continuous process to efficiently convert diverse non-food feedstocks into biobutanol. Engineered to achieve low costs through its proprietary biocatalyst, advanced bioreactor and energy efficient design and the use of low-cost feedstock, Cobalt is making biobutanol and its derivatives a cost-effective substitute to petroleum-based chemical products.
Cobalt is based in Mountain View, Calif. Cobalt is backed by leading investors in the cleantech sector, including Pinnacle Ventures, Malaysian Life Sciences Capital Fund, VantagePoint Capital Partners, Parsons & Whittemore, Life Sciences Partners (LSP), @Ventures, Harris & Harris and Burrill and Company.
About Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD)
NAWCWD is an organization within the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), dedicated to maintaining a center of excellence in weapons research and development for the Department of the Navy (DoN). The Research Division within NAWCWD has developed patent pending technology for converting bio-1-butanol to both full-performance jet and diesel fuels that can meet the stringent NAVY fuel specifications that provide our warfighter safety at sea with no sacrifice in performance.
For further information, please visit www.navair.navy.mil/nawcwd/index.html
About Albemarle
Albemarle Corporation, headquartered in Baton Rouge, La. is a leading global developer, manufacturer, and marketer of highly-engineered specialty chemicals for consumer electronics, petroleum refining, utilities, packaging, construction, automotive/transportation, pharmaceuticals, crop protection, food-safety and custom chemistry services. The Company is committed to global sustainability and is advancing its eco-practices and solutions in its three business segments, Polymer Solutions, Catalysts and Fine Chemistry. Corporate Responsibility Magazine selected Albemarle to its prestigious "100 Best Corporate Citizens" list for 2010 and 2011. Albemarle employs approximately 4,000 people and serves customers in approximately 100 countries. Albemarle regularly posts information to http://www.albemarle.com, including notification of events, news, financial performance, investor presentations and webcasts, Regulation G reconciliations, SEC filings, and other information regarding the Company, its businesses and the markets we serve.
Albemarle’s Fine Chemistry Services (FCS) Division is an innovative, full-service provider of fine chemicals to the world’s leading companies across the pharmaceutical, agrichemical, and specialty materials markets. Albemarle’s FCS Division helps global customers successfully complete projects through a combination of proven chemistry expertise, world class process development, high-quality custom manufacturing and exceptional service. From innovative R&D to commercial-scale production, Albemarle’s FCS Division delivers knowledge, experience, resources, creativity and service allowing its customers to move products to market faster. To learn more about Albemarle’s FCS Division, please visit www.albemarle.com/fcs.
"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements in this press release regarding Albemarle Corporation's business that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Source: http://www.cobalttech.com
Exceptional Jet Fuel Produced From High-Quality Cellulosic Sugars
Virent and Virdia, formerly HCL CleanTech, announce the successful conversion of cellulosic pine tree sugars to drop-in hydrocarbon fuels within the BIRD Energy project, a joint program funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, the Israeli Ministry of National Infrastructure and the BIRD Foundation. The project, which commenced in January 2011, successfully demonstrated that Virdia’s deconstruction process generated high-quality sugars from cellulosic biomass, which were converted to fuel via Virent’s BioForming® process.
Virent used Virdia’s biomass-derived sugars to produce gasoline and jet fuel, the latter being sent to the U.S Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) for analysis where it passed rigorous testing. Tim Edwards of the Fuels Branch of the AFRL said, “This fuel passed the most stringent specification tests we could throw at it (such as thermal stability) under some conditions where conventional jet fuels would fail. This fuel is definitely worth further evaluation.”
“While Virent’s BioForming® process has previously generated fuels and chemicals from sugars in cellulosic biomass,” said Virent Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer Dr. Randy Cortright, “The high-quality sugars generated from pine trees using Virdia’s process leveraged Virent’s conversion process, establishing a viable route to drop-in hydrocarbons from biomass.”
“Passing the AFRL’s arduous test requirements for jet fuel further substantiates the superior value proposition of the advanced carbohydrates that Virdia is introducing,” said Philippe Lavielle, Virdia CEO. “As demonstrated by the BIRD Energy project results, Virdia’s CASE™ (Cold Acid Solvent Extraction) process can deliver the high-purity, cost-effective cellulosic sugars needed as the primary raw material for jet fuels and other applications. We are pleased to work with Virent to prove that the value of cellulosic biomass can be unlocked.”
Virdia’s CASE process encompasses a sequence of proprietary extraction and separation operations. Originally developed around the Bergius process (concentrated hydrochloric acid hydrolysis of biomass), the CASE process achieves the highest yields in the industry, and produces high purity fractions of sugars and lignin. Its low temperature, low pressure hydrolysis coupled with its closed loops of acid recovery and solvent extraction establish it as one of the most economical and environmentally sustainable processes.
Virent’s BioForming platform utilizes a novel combination of catalytic processes to convert water-soluble oxygenated hydrocarbons derived from biomass to non-oxygenated hydrocarbons that can be used as drop-in compounds in gasoline, jet fuel and diesel fuel. Virent’s BioForming platform catalysts and reactor systems are similar to those found in today’s petroleum oil refineries and petrochemical complexes.
About Virent, Inc.
Virent is replacing crude oil by creating the chemicals and fuels the world demands using a wide range of naturally-occurring, renewable resources. Its patented technology features catalytic chemistry to convert plant-based materials into a full range of products identical to those made from petroleum. The products are drop-in replacements that enable full utilization of existing logistics infrastructure without blending limitations or compromising on product quality. The development of Virent’s BioForming® technology platform is supported through strategic partners including Cargill, Coca-Cola, Honda and Shell, as well as 120 employees based in Madison, Wisconsin. Please learn more at www.Virent.com.
About Virdia
Virdia is the developer of the CASE process that converts lignocellulose into industrial sugars and lignin from wood chips and other non-food, cellulosic biomass to enable the growth of renewable chemicals and second-generation biofuels. Virdia envisions that producing high quality, competitively priced sugars and lignin from sustainable sources of biomass will help reduce our dependence on petroleum-derived products, reduce overall carbon emissions, and develop new manufacturing industries in rural areas. Founded in 2007, Virdia is a privately held company backed by top-tier venture capital firms, including Tamar Ventures, Khosla Ventures, Burrill & Company and Triple Point Capital. Please learn more at www.Virdia.com.
This project received funding from BIRD Energy; for more information, please visit
www.Birdf.com.
OPXBIO Achieves Key Production Milestone for BioAcrylic
OPX Biotechnologies Inc. (OPXBIO) today announced another milestone that is a major step toward commercializing its more-economical and renewable alternative to petroleum-based acrylic acid. The company successfully demonstrated its fermentation process for bio-based acrylic acid (or BioAcrylic) at the 3,000-liter scale.
OPXBIO is working with The Dow Chemical Company to bring BioAcrylic into the $10-billion market for acrylic used in products such as diapers, detergents, paints and adhesives.
"Scale-up milestones are big proof points in this industry," said Charles R. (Chas) Eggert, presi-dent and CEO of OPXBIO. "We have increased the size of our BioAcrylic fermentations by more than 300 times with good results. This gives us even more confidence we're on the right track."
OPXBIO worked with the Michigan Biotechnology Institute (MBI) to successfully scale up its BioAcrylic fermentation process to 3,000 liters.
"Based on our 30 years of experience bringing lab innovations to commercialization, OPXBIO's rate of progress on BioAcrylic is impressive," said Bobby Bringi, president and CEO of MBI. "The successful campaign at 3,000-liter scale positions OPXBIO and its partners well to accelerate their commercialization efforts."
MBI is a not-for-profit company with 30 years of experience in derisking and scale-up of bio-based technologies. Its disciplined, streamlined approach demonstrates commercial viability in a cost- and time-effective manner. MBI's world-class pilot facility and experienced, multi-disciplinary professionals help its corporate and university partners bridge the gap between re-search and commercial applications.
About OPXBIO
OPXBIO is transforming the business of chemistry by using its proprietary leading EDGE™ (Efficiency Directed Genome Engineering) technology to manufacture renewable bio-based chemicals and fuels that are more economical and sustainable than petroleum-based products. Founded in 2007, OPXBIO employs 60 people in Boulder Colorado and is funded by $64 million raised from venture investors Altira Group, Braemar Energy Ventures, DBL Investors, Mohr Davidow Ventures, US Renewables Group, Wolfensohn & Company, L.L.C., and X/Seed Capital.
For more information, visit http://www.opxbio.com
DaniMer Scientific Receives Fresh Water Biodegradability Certification for ReNew Film Resins
DaniMer Scientific’s ReNew Flexible Film Resins have received a Fresh Water Biodegradability certification from SSCCP, the Italian Pulp and Paper Research Institute located in Milano.
DaniMer’s ReNew Flexible Film Resins will biodegrade in an aqueous environment, meaning the film resins will compost in water. DaniMer’s ReNew Film Resins can be efficiently converted into disposable shopping bags, compostable bags, odor barrier packaging products and agricultural mulch film, among others.
“The certification for fresh water degradation is exciting and we are pleased to report this unique property enabled by our ReNew Film Resins. Providing environmentally friendly solutions for our customers and the world is a very rewarding accomplishment for our team,” says Scott Tuten, Senior Vice President of DaniMer Scientific.
In addition to DaniMer’s Fresh Water Biodegradability certification, DaniMer has also recently obtained an Anaerobic Digestion certification from SSCCP. DaniMer received an OK Compost certification from Vinçotte, and is finalizing a backyard composting certification from Vinçotte, known as OK Compost HOME. To view DaniMer’s OK Compost certificates, please visit: www.danimer.com/news.
About SSCCP:
The Institute was founded by the Italian pulp and paper industries in 1896, as a laboratory for raw materials and products quality control. On 12 September 1909 it was instituted as a government organism and on 16 September 1937 it took the denomination: Stazione Sperimentale Cellulosa, Carta e Fibre Tessili, Vegetali ed Artificiali with the task of performing: studies, applied research, analyses and training, with the target to improve the product quality and to develop innovative production systems in the paper, board and textile fibre industrial sectors.
The Institute has been recently re-organized as a Public Commercial Organisation (legislation decree n.° 540, 29 October 1999 and n° 71, 23 February 2001), with the new denomination “Stazione Sperimentale Carta, Cartoni e Paste per Carta” in Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 16. The SSCCP is now entirely focused in the pulp, paper and board field.
About DaniMer Scientific:
DaniMer Scientific, an international corporation, believes people’s lives can be improved and the environment can be better protected by utilizing renewable resources to manufacture articles that are intended for short-term use. One of the company’s goals is to reduce dependence on petroleum, enabling people and communities to benefit from environmentally-friendly products. For more information about DaniMer Scientific, please visit: www.danimer.com.
