Company initiatives
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Amyris achieves $1.75/liter farnesene cost
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I am currently in Dubrovnik, Croatia, covering the ICIS Oleochemicals conference, which is about to end soon. If anybody is interested in learning more about oleochemicals and pine chemicals market, I suggest attending the incoming INFOCAST Bio-based Chemicals Summit in January in San Diego where I will be moderating a panel composed of experts in…
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Oxo degradable plastics under fire in Europe
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The blog has been reporting about oxo biodegradable plastics for years, and according to this recent press release from the European Bioplastics (EUBP) organization, it is noticing an increasing malpractice by producers for the use of EN 13432, a European standard for industrial composting, when marketing their products. According to EUBP, such products do not…
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Rivertop starts commercial glucarates production
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Montana, US-based Rivertop Renewables recently announced the start-up of commercial manufacturing of the company’s glucarate-based products through its partnership with DTI, a custom manufacturer of fine and specialty chemical products based in Danville, Virginia. Rivertop said this will be the first of several planned production facilities for its patented technology. With successful commissioning and initial…
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Clariant opens biotech R&D center
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Swiss specialty chemicals producer, Clariant, officially opened its new Group Biotechnology Research Center in Planegg near Munich, Germany. Clariant also has an Innovation Center located in Frankfurt. The company noted that industrial biotechnology is one of the key industries of the 21st century. Since 2006, the Group Biotechnology has successfully implemented projects in the field…
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Dell partners with SABIC for recycled carbon fibers
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It’s great to hear consumer products companies openly acknowledging their sustainability partners across the supply chain, in this case, with computer giant, Dell, announcing its partnership with SABIC for the use of reclaimed carbon fiber source materials in their Latitude and Alienware products. Dell estimates that it will prevent around 820,000 pounds of carbon fiber…
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Kraton Performance Polymers acquires Arizona Chemical
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Another recent oleochemical-related news is the acquisition of pine chemicals producer, Arizona Chemical, by Kraton Performance Polymers, a global producer of highly-engineered polymers. Kraton has acquired all of the capital stock of privately-held Arizona Chemical for a cash purchase price of $1.37 billion. Both companies end-use market exposures are reportedly highly complementary particularly in markets…
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Emery opens green polyols facility
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I will try to blog as much as I can this week before I leave for the ICIS World Oleochemicals Conference in Croatia next week. Speaking of oleochemicals, Emery Oleochemicals finally opened its new $50 million green polyols facility in Cincinnati, Ohio. The company claims it to be the world’s first industrial-scale facility capable of…