R&D
-

Introducing: Liquid Light’s waste CO2-to-MEG tech
.
This is another interview that is a bit late in posting. I have been covering several new technologies since late last year for Tecnon OrbiChem’s Bio-Materials newsletter, where these new technologies are now using feedstock such as methane, syngas and carbon dioxide/carbon monoxide to produce various chemical intermediates. Are these bio-based feedstock? They could be…
-
Lesaffre launches new business unit
.
France-based fermentation products producer, Lesaffre, has created a new business unit called Leaf (Lesaffre Advanced Fermentation) Technologies, which will focus on the worldwide sales and market development of value-added fermentation solutions for fuel ethanol and bio-based chemical producers. The company will use its expertise in the field of genetics, fermentation, yeast and yeast derivatives production.
-

Amyris strengthens chemical collaborative partnerships
.
Amyris is entering a collaborative research and development agreement with BASF where Amyris will use its strain engineering technology to develop a microorganism capable of producing a target molecule by BASF. The companies expect to further collaborate on a strain development program and consider other joint research and development opportunities based on the success of…
-
Dyadic joins EU project OPTIBIOCAT
.
Biotechnology company, Dyadic International Inc. has participated in a new project, “OPTIBIOCAT Optimized esterase biocatalysts for cost-effective industrial production”, an EU-funded project aimed at developing biocatalysts for the cosmetic industry. The biocatalysts will be based on feruloyl acid esterases (“FAE”) and glucuronyl esterases (“GE”), which are expected to be used in the production of phenolic fatty-…
-

Dyson explores biopolymer use
.
Like other premium brands (and Dyson products are definitely expensive), British vacuum manufacturer Dyson is exploring the use of biopolymers for their products and they seem to be enthusiastic about it (see the video below). Dyson has been working with the University of Cambridge’s Institute for Manufacturing, and the Centre for Process Innovation under a…
-

WSU develops waste cooking-oil based asphalt
.
Haifang Wen, assistant professor of Civil Engineering in the Washington State University (WSU), Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, has developed a technology to substitute restaurant cooking oil for the crude oil used traditionally in the production of asphalt, creating a sustainable bio-asphalt that looks and handles just like its petroleum-based counterpart. The researcher plans…
-

VIDEO: Lignin-based alternative to BPA
.
A new compound called bisguaiacol F (BGF) made from lignin as an alternative to bisphenol-A (BPA) is being developed by researchers at the University of Delaware under the leadership of Dr. Richard Wool, who is an EPA Presidential Green Chemistry awardee last year for his development and design of new bio-based materials as substitutes for toxic substances.…
