Evonik and Siemens have launched the second phase of their joint research project Rheticus, in which they are developing a process that uses carbon dioxide (CO2) and renewable energy to produce specialty chemicals.
Borealis and Neste partner to produce biobased polypropylene [Registered]
The Austrian petrochemicals group Borealis and Finnish refining company Neste are partnering to produce polypropylene (PP) from biobased propane (supplied by Neste).
Avantium commences production of biobased ethylene-glycol at its US$22 million demo plant [Registered]
The Dutch biotech start-up Avantium NV has commenced operations at its 10-metric-ton-per-year demonstration facility in Chemie Park Delfzijl, the Netherlands for the production of MEG (mono-ethylene glycol) from plant-based sugars, according to a recent statement from the company.
Producing pharmaceutical ingredients from lignin [Full subscriber]
researchers from the University of Groningen and the Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) have developed a novel route to convert lignin into tetrahydro-2-benzazepines, a class of compound with promising pharmacological activities, and high potential value.
South Korean researchers develop biobased alternative to the production of polycarbonate [Registered]
Researchers at The Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT) have developed transparent biobased polycarbonate sheets outperform traditional bisphenol A (BPA)-reinforced polycarbonate plastic in strength tests. The researchers envision their composite could replace BPA-based polycarbonates in a variety of common applications.
Netherlands – Suiker Unie to source vegetable proteins from sugar beet leaf [Full subscriber]
Suiker Unie recently opened a demonstration plant in Dinteloord to extract vegetable proteins from beet leaves according to local press reports.
Biosurfactant produced from rice straw [Registered]
Researchers at the University of Portsmouth have succeeded in producing a ‘biosurfacant’ from rice straw – a sustainable, alternative non-toxic ingredient in the production of a vast variety of products that normally include synthetic materials which are often petroleum-based.
Japan – Cane bagasse fashioned into fabric for denim jeans [Registered]
The start-up company Sugarcane Sosei Lab launched last October and based in Urasoe City, Okinawa Prefecture, has successfully exploited sugarcane bagasse to produce fabric which is currently fashioned into denim jeans.
Michelin, IFP Energies Nouvelles and Axens to build commercial-scale biobutadiene plant [Registered]
The French tyre manufacturer Michelin and its partners, IFP Energies Nouvelles and Axens, are scaling up their BioButterfly project with the construction of an “industrial prototype” plant for the production of biobased butadiene.
ADM and LG Chem partner to manufacture biobased acrylic acid [Registered]
The agribusiness giant Archer Daniels Midland Company is partnering with the South Korean chemical company LG Chem to produce biobased acrylic acid.
Monthly Snapshot
Market overview Raw sugar futures for March was at 12.27 cents per pound. It is apparent that the market is hobbling along, unperturbed by the latest FO Licht update suggesting […]
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