Green Chemicals Blog
Feedstock
EU’s OPTISOCHEM bio-isobutene project forges ahead
Although it is hard to keep track of the several EU government-funded bio-based chemicals projects these days, I do wonder how many of these projects were able to reach beyond the pilot and demo stages and achieved commercialization milestones? Anyway, France-based Global Bioenergies is among some of the public European start-up bio-based chemical companies that I … Continue reading
NatureWorks plans 100% sustainable feedstock by 2020
A new initiative at NatureWorks will ensure that by 2020, 100% of the agricultural feedstock for Ingeo™ biopolymers and Vercet™ performance chemicals will be certified by the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification System (ISCC) to the ISCC PLUS standard of best practices in agricultural production. NatureWorks currently has more than 40% of its agricultural feedstock certified. At full capacity, … Continue reading
Study: Bio-crude potential in the USA
Researchers from the US Department of Energy (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) have released a report on the potential production of bio-crude from organic wastes such as wastewater sludge, animal manure, food waste, and fats, oils and greases throughout the USA. HTL (hydrothermal liquefaction) is one technology that the … Continue reading
NCGA highlights corn-based chemicals R&Ds
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, … Continue reading
VIDEO: BASF’s new biomass-balance paints for automotive
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. … Continue reading
Dutch biomass sugar partnership formed
More cellulosic sugar partnerships are taking place, and this one is in Europe. Avantium announced a partnership with AkzoNobel, Chemport Europe, RWE and Staatsbosbeheer for the development of a reference biorefinery plant at the Chemie Park Delfzijl, which will be based on a new technology that has been developed by Avantium. This Zambezi process aims … Continue reading
Increase on Asian production capacities for bio-based chemicals, building blocks and polymers
I usually shy away from posting market studies and reports on bio-based chemicals because a) there are a lot of inflated figures being reported in the big world wide web; and b) it is frowned upon since I’m working for a consulting firm myself. However, nova Institute is a well-established, well-known expert in reporting about biopolymers … Continue reading
They (Ontario) got the beets
Yes, I’m listening to the Go-Go’s (I’m an 80s baby after all) while writing this up. A farmer cooperative called the Ontario Innovative Sugarbeet Processors Cooperative (OISPC) has been formed led by the positive results of a techno-economic modeling study commissioned by the Ontario Sugarbeet Growers’ Association (OSGA) in collaboration with its partners, the Bio-Industrial … Continue reading
Metabolix, NC State on advanced crop techs
Metabolix might be out of the PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate) business now but we will still monitor this company from time to time as it expands its agbiotech business (and hopefully future feedstock for chemical application). This news announced the partnership of Metabolix and North Carolina State University for a worldwide, exclusive license agreement in advanced crop … Continue reading
Sustainable Sourcing of Feedstocks for Bioplastics
Bio-based chemicals and materials producer, Corbion, has released a white paper outlining the company’s position on feedstock selection, as well as covering issues such as land use, feedstock efficiency and food security. The paper was presented in September at the company’s PLA feedstock workshop reportedly attended by some 70 companies throughout the value chain. Corbion … Continue reading