Company initiatives
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Reverdia gets bio-succinic acid patents
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The renewable chemicals market seems to be quiet in general but I am hoping to get fresh updates next month especially in the bioplastics sector when I attend the NPE International Plastics trade show next month. And yes, I am also looking forward to getting out of New York City and into the warmer weather of…
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Setback on bio-acrylic acid R&D progress?
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In the midst of falling oil prices and cheaper petrochemical prices, Novozymes recently announced that BASF has exited its collaboration with the company and Cargill on their bio-acrylic acid project. Coincidence? Maybe. Correct me if I’m wrong but a big chemical company such as BASF could not be that shortsighted to quit long-term sustainability and raw material…
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Company Movements News
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Hope you’re enjoying the start of your weekend. We are expecting another snowstorm coming into New York this Saturday and I can’t wait to have a brief respite from the wintry weather next week when I fly to Florida to attend the American Cleaning Institute (ACI) Convention. In the meantime, let me posts some recent…
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MeadWestvaco spins off specialty chemicals business
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In the pine chemicals world, MeadWestvaco (MWV), a major packaging company, announced its intention to spin-off its specialty chemicals business as an independent publicly traded entity. The spinoff is expected to be completed by the end of 2015. MWV reported that it remains open to other value-creating alternatives for the specialty chemicals business throughout this process. MWV…
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Gevo partners with Brenntag for bio-isobutanol sale
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Gevo announced it has launched sales of renewable isobutanol to Brenntag Canada Inc. (Brenntag Canada), a member of the Brenntag group companies for distribution into the solvents, oil & gas, mining and specialty chemicals markets. The initial market entry is focused on Canada. Brenntag Canada has purchased truckload quantities of isobutanol from Gevo for distribution…
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Raizen, Iogen starts cellulosic ethanol production
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Joining the startup of several other cellulosic ethanol facilities such as from DSM-POET, Abengoa and Granbio, is Raizen who recently began its own production of cellulosic ethanol using Iogen’s technology at Raizen’s newly expanded Costa Pinto sugarcane mill in Piracicaba, Sao Paulo, Brazil. The 40 million litres/year facility, with investment worth of $100 million, will…
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Solazyme in cost reduction mode, lays off workers
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It’s a sad holiday for some Solazyme employees as the company announced today that it will reduce its workforce and implement other cost-cutting measures in order to reduce cash operating expenses of at least $18 million in 2015. The company anticipates recording a charge of approximately $3.0 million to $5.0 million in the fourth quarter…