Conference
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VIDEO: Biodegradable Mannequin from Bonaveri
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I find this biodegradable mannequin very interesting and I’m hoping to learn more about the raw materials and companies who supply these new materials. Bonaveri, a leading Italian manufacturer of artistic mannequins and bust forms, has recently unveiled a biodegradable mannequin (said to be the world’s first) during London’s Fashion Week at the Green Carpet…
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Gevo produces cellulosic jet fuel
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I’m really noticing a lot of renewable jet fuel announcements this year, and I mentioned this at the recent Pan American Oleochemicals conference that I attended in Miami this week since I also presented a bit on the renewable diesel market. Anyway, Gevo announced this week that it has completed production of the world’s first…
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First bio-BDO commercial plant opens
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The world’s first sugar-based 1,4 butanediol plant has finally opened as Mater-Biotech, a 100% company owned by Italian bioplastic producer, Novamont, started its 30 ktpa bio-BDO plant in Bottrighe di Adria (Rovigo, Italy), which uses Genomatica’s process technology. The initial capacity of the plant was targeted at 18 ktpa, but this was expanded to 30…
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JetBlue to use renewable jet fuel
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JetBlue recently announced a ten-year purchase agreement with bioenergy company, SG Preston, for the purchase of renewable jet fuel produced from hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids (HEFA). For those who are unfamiliar with this type of fuel, it is mostly based on hydrotreated fats and oils comparable to Neste’s renewable fuel product. According to the…
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Cargill expanding in cosmetics and personal care
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We just wrapped up Tecnon OrbiChem’s Biomaterials newsletter for this month, and now I have to focus on starting my glycerine presentation for the incoming ICIS Pan American Oleochemicals conference in October. Speaking of glycerine….one of the things I sometimes monitor from companies’s restructuring and internal business changes is through their career section, who they hire (and…
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VIDEO: More Bio investments in Canada
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After my recent post on US government investment in Maine, here’s one from the Government of Canada with a $12 million funding to Bioindustrial Innovation Canada (BIC) to create 478 full-time equivalent jobs and result in 250 new industrial collaborations, especially among small and medium-sized businesses. The funding is going to be used to support…
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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,…
