Press Release
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Dupont’s Sorona used at Rio Olympics
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The 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio, Brazil, is winding down but before it ends, let me report on this news from DuPont Industrial Biosciences about the use of their Sorona PTT plant-based fibers in the Chinese team’s ‘Dragon Uniform’. Anta Sports is reportedly one of the leading branded sportswear enterprises in China, and has been…
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Leaf Resources in biorefinery JV
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I had an interesting interview with Australia-based Leaf Resources regarding their biomass pre-treatment technology called Glycell, which uses glycerol as a reagent, in order to break down plant biomass into lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose at low temperature and pressure. Leaf Resources recently announced a joint venture called Leaf Development LLC with Claeris LLC of Dallas,…
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Evolva on resveratrol-based composites
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Evolva is collaborating with the US Navy (NAVAIR research facility, China Lake, California) to develop a new class of structural composite materials engineered from a polymer resin matrix fabricated from a specified formulation of Evolva’s resveratrol. Evolva has produced and delivered this specified formulation, and will continue to work with the Navy to advance this…
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TerraVia sells Algenist
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TerraVia (formerly Solazyme) recently announced the sale of 80% of its interest in its Algenist business to Tengram Capital Partners, a private equity firm that focuses exclusively on consumer and retail companies that owns exclusive, highly recognizable brands. As part of the transaction, TerraVia will continue to be an ingredient supplier for the Algenist brand, which includes…
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USDA Biobased Funding applications now open
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking applications for funding to help support the development of advanced biofuels, renewable chemicals and biobased products. Funding is being provided through the Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program, formerly known as the Biorefinery Assistance Program. The program provides loan guarantees of up to $250…
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Rivertop’s glucarates on Safer Ingredients List
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I am almost done with the Biomaterials newsletter for the month but let me post this short update from Rivertop Renewables on its glucaric acid-based products. The Montana-based novel chemicals company announced that its sodium glucarate produced by the company’s breakthrough oxidation technology has been listed on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Safer Chemicals Ingredients…
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Metabolix rejects Cellulac merger proposal
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I can’t really write any long posts this week due to tight newsletter deadline but I just saw a confirmation from UK-based Cellulac that it has proposed a merger to Metabolix, which was then rejected. Last week, Metabolix announced that it is closing its biopolymers (PHA-based) business with a layoff of around 45 positions (50%…