Press Release
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NCGA highlights corn-based chemicals R&Ds
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The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) has recently awarded six new technologies who won the trade association’s first “Consider Corn Challenge“, an open innovation contest where more than 30 scientists and start-up companies brought forth their best ideas on the conversion of corn into bio-renewable chemicals. NCGA and state corn associations actively support innovation in research,…
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VIDEO: BASF’s new biomass-balance paints for automotive
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The first time the blog has heard about BASF’s integrated biomass-based chemical manufacture approach was in late 2013, and since then, the company has steadily increased its chemicals portfolio under this category. This month, BASF’s Coatings division announced the launch of its new Glasurit® and R-M® refinish paint product lines in Europe for automotive refinishing application.…
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Renewable chemicals commercialization to step up in 2018
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The year 2017 saw several announcements that point towards a more focused intent to construct demonstration and commercial manufacturing facilities for renewable chemicals. However, it was also a year of uncertainty with several established players and buyers, such as M&G, Abengoa, DowDuPont, Greencol, Toyota Tsusho, Coca-Cola, Solvay, and TerraVia, among others, either exiting their biobased…
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Lignin Challenge 1.0 in Canada
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FYI for Canadian researchers, institutions, companies or other organizations who are seeking funding! Alberta Innovates invites proposals for funding under Lignin Challenge 1.0, a sub-program of Alberta Bio Future (ABF). The group is offering this funding in partnership with West Fraser, an integrated forest products company. Lignin Challenge 1.0, which was launched this month, aims to supports…
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Stora Enso launches lignin-based phenol
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I’ve received several announcements about developments of several lignin-based chemicals and I will report this trend (and the lignin market if I get more information) on next month’s Tecnon OrbiChem Biomaterials newsletter. Lignin makes of 20-30% of the composition of wood but has traditionally been discarded by the pulp and paper industries. Stora Enso, a pulp…
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VIDEO: Synthetic biology in the fashion industry
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My special report on Tecnon OrbiChem’s Biomaterials newsletter this month is all about biofabrication focusing on the fashion industry. Companies that I’ve mentioned in this report include Modern Meadow, Bolt Threads, Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, Mango Materials, Orange Fiber, among others. The textiles industry, according to a report from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, relies mostly on…
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Veramaris’s construction of algal-based omega-3 fatty acids facility starts
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I find the animal nutrition, aquaculture and animal feed markets all very interesting areas of growth for renewable chemicals especially for organic acids. DSM and Evonik’s new joint venture, Veramaris V.O.F., aims to produce omega-3 fatty acids from natural marine algae for animal nutrition. DSM and Evonik announced their intention to start this joint venture in…
