Alkenes are one of the most useful classes of chemicals and can be turned into a range of products from polymers to pharmaceuticals. But most alkenes available in bulk are derived from petroleum-based materials. Now, researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Coal Research have developed a new method which can produce terminal alkenes from waste vegetable oil.
Russia – Bio-on licenses its technology to TAIF for the production of biobased PHAs [Full subscriber]
The Italian biotech start-up Bio-on recently signed an agreement with the Russian group Taif Jsc, which will purchase a license to build the first plant of the Russian Federation for the production in the Republic of Tatarstan of 100% biodegradable bioplastic PHAs (polyhydroxyalkanoate).
Genomatica secures funding of US$90 million to boost commercialization of its biobased chemicals [Full subscriber]
The biotech start-up Genomatica has raised US$90 million in private funding to accelerate the commercialization of two biobased chemicals that are being used today in plastics, cosmetics, and personal care. The company says it will also use the money to further ongoing development of a third chemical, to be used in sustainable nylon.
Covestro develops biobased hairstyling products [Full subscriber]
Covestro, the leading polymer company, has developed Baycusan eco E 1000, a film-forming polyurethane (PU) dispersion for hairstyling products with a carbon content based on 58% biomass, which achieves the high-performance level of synthetic acrylate polymers. Baycusan eco E 1000 is suitable in formulations where a long-lasting hold and a good humidity resistance are critical.
Catechyl lignin found to withstand harsh measures during lignocellulosic feedstocks deconstruction [Full subscriber]
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLBRC) with partners at the Center for Bioenergy Innovation (CBI) have shown that a recently-discovered variety of the substance, catechyl lignin (C-lignin), has attributes that could make it well-suited as the starting point for a range of bioproducts.
USA – LignoTech Florida opens US$110 mln lignin plant [Registered]
Rayonier Advanced Materials and Borregaard who jointly own LignoTech Florida opened on 26th June, a new lignin plant in Fernandina Beach. Costing US$110 million, the plant has a production capacity of 100,000 tonnes lignin.
Cellulosic sugars converted into supercapacitors [Registered]
Researchers at the US Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have developed a process to convert cellulosic sugars into supercapacitors.
USA – Governor Ricketts inaugurates US$50 million biobased ethyl acetate plant in Nebraska [Full subscriber]
Governor Pete Ricketts inaugurated the Prairie Catalytic, LLC’s new US$50 million biobased ethyl acetate production facility in Columbus, Nebraska on 4th September, according to a press release from the governor’s office.
Neste and IKEA partner to produce biobased polypropylene [Full subscriber]
Finland’s Neste Corp. partnering with the Swedish home furniture giant IKEA to start a pilot production of biobased polypropylene plastic using renewable raw materials such as used cooking oil or vegetable oils.
Biobased polyamides from terpenes sourced from waste stream of hydrolysed wood pulp [Full subscriber]
Researchers at the Straubing BioCat branch of Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB have successfully developed a process to convert 3-carene, a component of turpentine oil resulting from breaking down lignocellulosic feedstock wood into cellulose, into polyamides used in of high-quality structural components, as they are not only impact- and abrasion-resistant, but also resistant to many chemicals and solvents.
Monthly Snapshot
Market overview Rise in sugar prices gradually during October seems to belie market fundamentals of persistent global surplus. On 22nd October sugar price was 13.93 cents/lb. This compares with 9.91 […]
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