
EU funds €23 million for a new plant to produce biobased solvent from lignocellulosic feedstocks [Full subscriber]
The Melbourne-based biotech start-up Circa Group is taking the lead in the European flagship project to produce biobased the platform chemical levoglucosenone (LGO) through its proprietary Furacel technology.

Kraft lignin chemically modified for use in carbon fibre composite [Full subscriber]
Researchers at Kanazawa University have chemically modified Kraft lignin — ordinarily produced in pulp mills is destined for low-added value applications — and used it in the production of quality carbon fibre composite. Once the process is optimised, it will invite significant application interest from not only aerospace, defence and automotive industries due to the combination of its lightweight nature (providing a solution to reducing the weight of vehicles et al), its versatility and strength.

Brazil – Solvay opens second biobased solvent plant [Registered]
Solvay has opened a second plant in Brazil for its Augeo line of biobased solvents, more than tripling production capacity 6000 to 20,000 tonnes per year.

Ionic liquid intermediate produced from lignin [Full subscriber]
Researchers at US Department of Energy’s Berkeley Lab have transformed lignin into a precursor for a useful chemical with a wide range of potential applications.

Germany – Construction of the new €550 million UPM’s biorefinery has commenced [Full subscriber]
The Finnish pulp and paper producer UPM commenced the construction of the state-of-the-art biochemicals facility in Leuna, Germany on 7th October.

Bagasse-based compostable and durable packaging containers [Full subscriber]
The Israeli start-up W-Cycle has developed SupraPulp, plastic-free packaging made of sugarcane bagasse that is compostable, safe, and containers.

Polish start-up converts beet pulp into biodegradable packaging containers [Full subscriber]
The start-up Waste Lab, Poland has been successful in converting beet pulp into tableware, packaging, and other products.