Green Chemicals Blog
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DSM invests in Amyris
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Anybody remembered when DSM bought Martek Biosciences for $1.09bn in late 2010? Those were the good old days for bioscience companies. This latest news on DSM’s investment in Amyris might be just a blip but any influx of money in the industrial biotech community is a welcome relief and could lead to bigger things to…
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BASF participates in circular economy initiatives
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I just finished wrapping up five presentations (two that I personally worked on) about bio-based chemicals and bioeconomy for the incoming Nova Institute Bio-Materials conference next week in Cologne, Germany,(which my colleague, Philippa Davies will give the presentation) and for the Asia Petrochemicals Industry Conference (APIC) which will be held on 18-19 in Sapporo, Japan. This…
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More retailers implement chemical management initiatives
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Pharmacy retailer chain CVS Health announced the removal of parabens, phthalates formaldehyde donors across nearly 600 beauty and personal care products from its store brand CVS Health, Beauty 360, Essence of Beauty, and Blade product lines. The Promise Organic line of store brand products also does not contain any of these ingredients. CVS Pharmacy will stop…
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Clothing industry turns to biotech
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I love the fashion industry but admittedly it is one of the most wasteful and energy-intensive industry. The global textile industry reportedly accounts for 17-20% of global industrial water pollution. Maybe synthetic biology and biotechnology can help solve this problem. Last month, Bolt Threads, a California-based biotechnology start-up has launched a limited edition (50 pieces…
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Video: BASF, Avantium discuss the potential of FDCA
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Avantium’s Tom van Aken and Stefan Blank, President of BASF’s Intermediates Division, discuss their cooperation regarding the production of a new and bio based raw material using furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA). Their Synvina joint venture aims to start construction of an FDCA reference plant by the end of 2018, with sales of FDCA and PEF (polyethylene furanoate) expected…

